Tetanus in Children

What is tetanus?

Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that usually follows a contaminated wound, and can be fatal if not treated. It is now rare in Britain due to vaccination.

Symptoms

The incubation period varies from several days to several weeks. So there is a general fatigue or weakness followed by spasm of the muscles of the jaw (called trismus, trismus called). Spasms in the muscles of the face may make the person seems to have a permanent smile. Spasms may occur spontaneously or be triggered by stimulation by noise or light.
Other symptoms include:
* problems with swallowing or breathing
* curvature of the spine and neck, inability to urinate sweating
* Abnormal heart rate and blood pressure
The person usually remain mentally alert. Children can go to feed poor sucking technique and become irritable. In severe cases, especially in young and old, tetanus is often fatal.

Causes and risk factors

Tetanus is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani, which is found in soil and animal manure. The spores of the bacteria are collected when the wound is contaminated, such as garden soil. The wound may go unnoticed and the infection may not seem difficult, but the release of bacterial toxins known neurotoxin that attacks the nervous system and cause problems such as muscle spasms. Who is contaminated wound may develop tetanus. Farmers and their work with them the soil is at greater risk. In developing countries, tend to tie the umbilical cord of newborn clip animal dung often leads to neonatal tetanus.

If you think tetanus, get emergency medical help. The diagnosis is usually clear from the symptoms and history. The bacteria can be detected in the wound, but tetanus is an emergency medical treatment is usually started based on symptoms alone.

Treatment and recovery

Treatment should be in the hospital. Depending on the severity of the case, sedation, muscle relaxants and artificial ventilation, even to help breathing may be necessary. The wound may need to be cleaned to remove the source of the toxin and antibiotics. With treatment, most people recover completely. Tetanus is a preventable disease. Vaccination is available under the standard vaccination schedule in the United Kingdom. Reinforcements are given every ten years before entering school and then. If your child has a deep wound, consult a doctor, even if they were vaccinated against tetanus, sometimes an additional dose of tetanus vaccine is needed. Do not wait for the onset of symptoms.