Tetanus (cont.)
How is tetanus treated?
General measures to treat the sources of the bacterial infection with antibiotics and
drainage are carried out in the hospital while the
patient is monitored for any signs of compromised breathing muscles. Treatment is directed toward stopping toxin production, neutralizing its effects, and controlling muscle spasms.
Sedation is often given for muscle spasm, which can lead to life-threatening breathing difficulty.
In more severe cases, breathing assistance with an artificial
respirator machines may be needed.
The toxin already circulating in the body is neutralized with
antitoxin drugs. The tetanus toxin causes no permanent damage to the
nervous system after the patient recovers.
After recovery, patients still require active immunization because having the
tetanus disease does not provide natural immunization against a repeat episode.
How is tetanus prevented?
Active
immunization ("tetanus shots") plays an essential role in preventing tetanus.
Preventative measures to protect the skin from being penetrated by the tetanus
bacteria are also important. For instance, precautions should be taken to avoid
stepping on nails by wearing shoes. If a penetrating wound should occur, it
should be thoroughly cleansed with soap and water and medical attention should
be sought. Finally, passive immunization can be administered in
selected cases (with specialized immunoglobulin).
What is the schedule for active immunization (tetanus shots)?
All children should be immunized against tetanus by receiving a series of
five DTaP vaccinations which generally are started at 2 months of age and completed at approximately 5 years of age. Booster vaccination is recommended at 11 years of age with Tdap.
Follow-up booster vaccination is recommended every 10 years thereafter. While a 10-year period of protection exists after the basic childhood series is completed, should a potentially contaminated wound occur, an "early" booster may be given in selected cases and the 10 years "clock" reset.
Next: What are the side effects of tetanus immunization? »
- erythromycin, E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, Pce, Pediazole, Ilosone - Learn about erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE, Pediazole, Ilosone) an antibiotic prescribed for upper and lower respiratory tract infecitons, skin infections, PID, acne, and more. Side effects and drug interaction information is also included in the information.
- Childhood Vaccination Schedule - Read our printable children's immunization schedule and learn about vaccines for kids (Hib, polio, DTaP, MMR, HPV, flu, chickenpox, meningitis, rotavirus, pneumonia, hepatitis A and B).
- Whooping Cough (Pertussis) - Get the facts on whooping cough symptoms, signs, history, stages, causes (Bordetella pertussis), diagnosis, treatment, prevention and vaccine information (DTaP, Tdap).
Latest Medical News
Infectious Disease RSS