Tetanus

Tetanus is an acute and highly lethal disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. The bacteria can infect wounds and produce protein (toxin) that affects the nervous system which can lead to muscle cramps (spasms), and inability to breath.

The bacteria Clostridium tetani is found everywhere in nature: in the soil, in the intestines of animals. It can enter your child's body through a dirty skin injury, an animal bite, or a burn. In our environment, children have been successfully vaccinated against this disease so that the illness has almost disappeared.

Signs and symptoms of the disease                                                                       

The disease usually appear 1-2 weeks after infection. Tetanus infection leads to severe pain and cramps throughout the body. Painful muscle cramps (spasms) begin on the face, then the neck, torso and legs. When the muscles of the face and neck are affected, there are problems with swallowing and breathing. Before the era of vaccination, this disease was fatal in most cases (80% fatality rate).

A paediatrician should be consulted when:                                                                                                                                       

  • There is an animal bite
  • The child has a dirty wound or gets a deep cut, stab wound or scratch from a dirty object
  • When labour is not sterile, the newborn baby can be infected.

Tetanus treatment

Treatment of tetanus is complicated and is carried out in a hospital setting. It includes the use of antitoxins and antibiotics, cleaning the wound, sometimes surgery. If necessary, medications to relieve pain, muscle stiffness are used as well as devices to support breathing.

Tetanus prevention

Tetanus is a disease that cannot be eradicated because the bacteria is present everywhere in nature. There is no acquired resistance even after having the infection. The best way to protect your child from this disease is to vaccinate her/him in time. According to the immunization recommendations, tetanus vaccines are given in three doses: the first one at the six weeks of age, while the second and the third doses are provided in intervals between 4 to 8 weeks. Tetanus vaccination is usually provided together with the vaccine against: diphtheria, whooping cough, polio and diseases caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenza b. In some countries re-vaccination is provided after two years of age along with diphtheria vaccine.

In case of an open skin injury, it is important to carefully clean the wound and remove all foreign material from it. If your child has not been adequately vaccinated or has been incompletely vaccinated, or has been appropriately vaccinated but more than 5-10 years have passed since the last dose of the vaccine (depending on the severity of the wound), the child doesn’t have the necessary protection. Take her/him to a paediatrician to check the vaccination status and determine if she/he needs to receive the vaccine and, in some situations also human tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG).

A newborn who is born without professional medical help, with the risk of becoming infected with the bacterium Clostridium tetani, needs to immediately receive human tetanus immunoglobulin.