What is Tetanus Disease?

Tetanus Disease: Key Symptoms, Treatment Options and Tips to Lifestyle Changes Explained

Tetanus is a disease in which involuntary and uncontrollable muscle spasms and seizures occur. This condition occurs due to infection by a bacterium, Clostridium tetani, which enters our body mainly through exposure to spores of Clostridium tetani, often found in soil, dust, or animal feces.

Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease. The bacteria release toxins inside your body that affect your nervous system. Keep reading to learn about the types, symptoms, and other relevant information about tetanus.

What are the Types of Tetanus Disease?

Mainly, there are 4 types of tetanus, which are discussed as follows:

1. Neonatal: This form of tetanus affects newborn babies within 28 days of birth. It is very common in developing countries but rare in countries with advanced medical facilities.
2. Cephalic: Cephalic form of tetanus affects the cranial nerves, causing spasm around the facial muscles and head.
3. Generalized: Generalized tetanus is the most common form of tetanus, and it causes severe muscle spasms, mainly in the neck and jaw muscles.
4. Localized: In this form of tetanus, muscle spasms occur around the site of bacterial entry, that is, the wounded area. Although not a common form of tetanus, it can become generalized over time.

What are the Symptoms of Tetanus Disease?

The toxins released by the bacteria disrupt the nervous system’s ability to signal the muscles to contract and relax, and hence, the spasms occur uncontrollably. The symptoms of tetanus disease include:

• Dysphagia
• Uncontrolled muscle spasms
• Seizures
• Jaw muscle tightness
• Lock jaw
• Drooling
• Flexed face muscle
• Overextension of the neck and back

How to Treat Tetanus Disease?

Treatment of tetanus requires emergency and long-term intervention. The treatment involves the following components:

• Medicines: The main drug used is tetanus antitoxin, which blocks the additional toxins. Antibiotics are also administered to get rid of the remaining bacteria. Other drugs, such as sedatives and muscle relaxants, might also be administered.
• Care of Wound: Cleaning or debriding the wound is essential, as it may potentially remove some of the bacteria that prevent more toxins from being released.
• Taking Rest: The patient should be allowed to rest in a dim and quiet room, as light and sound might be responsible for involuntary tetanus muscle spasms.
• Breathing Support: The airway might not be patent due to the muscle spasms. Hence, maintaining a patent airway is the priority.

What are the Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies for Tetanus Disease?

Taking care of any cut or wound is essential to prevent tetanus. However, minor wounds can be taken care of using the following remedies:

• Stop the Bleeding: The bleeding should be controlled by applying direct pressure over the wound for a brief amount of time.
• Clean the Injured Area: After the bleeding has been controlled to an extent, clean the area using clean running water or saline water.
• Usage of Antibiotics: Apply antibacterial cream topically to curb the bacterial growth and infection.
• Cover the Affected Area: Cover the wound with a bandage or a sterile piece of gauze to keep it clean from dust and dirt. Keep it covered until the scab forms to prevent contamination.
• Regular Dressing: Clean the wound and apply the ointment daily, once or twice, depending on its condition.
• Look for Side Effects: Look for side effects of the antibiotic ointment. If present, stop using the antibiotic cream over the affected area and continue dressing with a sterile gauze piece.

Tetanus can be severe and life-threatening if not treated promptly and properly. The symptoms are usually seen between 3 to 21 days after the bacteria have entered the body. Seek medical help once you have noticed the symptoms of tetanus after you have a cut from a rusty iron object.

Therefore, it's always wise to have health insurance to safeguard both your health and finances. At Star Health, we offer coverage for vaccination expenses, including tetanus, under our Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy. We also provide hassle-free claim settlements with reduced turnaround time across over 14,000 network hospitals in India.

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