Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: tetanus + 2,160 + lockjaw  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/7/2008)

MediaGlobal Birth registration vital to the success of new Tetanus campaign in ... MediaGlobal, NY - Aug 5, 2008 By Gabrielle Wade 5 August 2008 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: Although it is preventable by vaccination, tetanus, an infectious disease that occurs when wounds are ... A Catfight, A Boob Bite, & A Tetanus Shot 13WHAM-TV, NY - Aug 5, 2008 According to the blotter report, one woman bit another "in the breast and stomach" - leading the bite victim to need a tetanus shot. ... UNICEF (press release) UNICEF launches tetanus campaign in Madagascar Xinhua, China - Jul 31, 2008 UNITED NATIONS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has launched a tetanus campaign in rural Madagascar, one of the few ... UNICEF Executive Director concludes visit to Madagascar UNICEF (press release) UNICEF Executive Director pays first visit to Madagascar to see ... ReliefWeb (press release) UNICEF says eradication of children poverty remains long-term task ... Xinhua Xinhua all 21 news articles » New Recommendations To Protect Disaster Survivors Medical News Today (press release), UK - Aug 6, 2008 To help injured disaster survivors that may be at risk for infection from blood-borne viruses or tetanus in the environment, new vaccine recommendations ... Back To School Means Time For Shots KTAL, LA - Four shots Chris received, immunizing against Chicken Pox, Polio, Tetanus and Meningococcal Meningitis. Vaccine cocktails are different for each student ... Free adult immunizations News-Journal.com, TX - Aug 5, 2008 Bettie Clark, the clinic's immunization program manager, said the department has offered tetanus vaccines; measles, mumps and rubella vaccines; and zoster, ... docwright.com cures ills Gold Coast News, Australia - Aug 5, 2008 Q: Should adults have a tetanus update on a regular basis? A: Tetanus immunisation lasts a very long time and when given in infancy with other vaccinations ... Every 3 minutes a baby dies Al-Bawaba, Jordan - Jul 29, 2008 Every year, 500000 cases of tetanus are registered worldwide. The disease claims the lives of approximately 140000 young babies and 30000 mothers every year ... Immunizations should be on school supply lists Fort Morgan Times, CO - Aug 5, 2008 Children entering sixth grade and 10th grade need: Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertusis). The Hepatits A series is also recommended. ... Beginning of new school year signals it's time for immunizations Grand Junction Sentinel all 2 news articles » Vacci-Test Corporation Launches VACCI-TEST(TM)-Tetanus in Europe MarketWatch - Jul 10, 2008 VACCI-TEST(TM) -Tetanus is a rapid, sensitive, lateral flow diagnostic assay that determines the immune status of an individual by detecting the presence of ...

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a serious but preventable disease that affects the body's muscles and nerves. It typically arises from a skin wound that becomes contaminated by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani, which is often found in soil.

Once the bacteria are in the body, they produce a neurotoxin (a protein that acts as a poison to the body's nervous system) known as tetanospasmin that causes muscle spasms. The toxin first affects nerves controlling the muscles near the wound. It can also travel to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymph system. As it circulates more widely, the toxin interferes with the normal activity of nerves throughout the body, leading to generalized muscle spasms. Without treatment, tetanus can be fatal.

In the United States, most cases of tetanus follow a cut or deep puncture injury, such as a wound caused by stepping on a nail. Sometimes the injury is so small that it is never seen by a doctor. Injuries that involve dead skin (such as burns, frostbite, gangrene, or crush injuries) are more likely to cause tetanus. Wounds contaminated with soil, saliva, or feces - especially if not properly cleaned - and skin punctures from nonsterile needles (such as with drug use or self-performed tattooing or body piercing) are also at increased risk.

Another form of tetanus, neonatal tetanus, occurs in newborns who are delivered in unsanitary conditions, especially if the umbilical cord stump becomes contaminated. Prior to immunizations, neonatal tetanus was much more common in the United States. Now, routine immunizations for tetanus produce antibodies that mothers pass to their unborn babies. These maternal antibodies and sanitary cord-care techniques have made newborn tetanus very rare in developed countries.

In fact, tetanus in general is rare in the United States and other nations with tetanus vaccination programs - fewer than 50 cases of tetanus have been reported each year in the United States since 1995. However, many developing countries have no effective prevention and immunization programs against tetanus, so the disease is much more common there.

Signs and Symptoms
Tetanus often begins with muscle spasms in the jaw (called trismus), accompanied by difficulty swallowing and stiffness or pain in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, or back. These spasms can spread to the muscles of the abdomen, upper arms, and thighs.

Neonatal tetanus causes the same symptoms in newborns.

Contagiousness
Tetanus cannot be spread from person to person.

Prevention
There are two important components of tetanus prevention: tetanus immunization (receiving routine tetanus vaccinations) and what's known as post-exposure tetanus prophylaxis (receiving a shot after an injury occurs).

For children, tetanus immunization is part of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccinations. Children typically receive a series of four doses of DTaP vaccine before the age of 2 years, followed by a booster dose at 4 to 6 years of age. After that, a tetanus and diphtheria booster (Td) is recommended at 11 to 12 years of age, and then every 10 years through adulthood. As is the case with all immunization schedules, there are important exceptions and special circumstances. Your child's doctor will have the most current information.

Post-exposure tetanus prophylaxis also involves getting tetanus shots, but after an injury occurs. Which shots are given will depend on the number of years since the patient's last booster, the total number of tetanus vaccinations the patient has received, and the nature of the wound. The doctor may recommend a tetanus booster (Td or DTaP, depending on the patient's age) and/or an injection of tetanus immune globulin (TIG) to neutralize any toxin released by the bacteria.

Neonatal tetanus can be prevented by making sure that all pregnant women have had their tetanus immunizations and by delivering babies in sanitary conditions. If you are pregnant, discuss your immunization record with your obstetrician well before your due date.

Incubation

The incubation period for tetanus is usually 2 to 14 days, with most symptoms beginning around the seventh day. In neonatal tetanus, symptoms start within the first 2 weeks of life.

Duration

Tetanus, although rare, is a serious illness. When the condition is diagnosed and treated early, however, recovery is possible. It usually takes several weeks to recover from tetanus.

Professional Treatment

Your child's doctor plays an important role in preventing tetanus by making sure your child's immunizations are up to date and providing post-exposure prophylaxis if your child has a wound that's at risk for tetanus.

A child who does develop tetanus will be treated in a hospital, usually in the intensive care unit. There, the child typically receives antibiotics to kill bacteria and TIG to neutralize the toxin that the bacteria have already released. The child will also receive medicines to control muscle spasms and may be given medicines to support vital body functions.

Home Treatment

Any skin wound - especially a deep puncture or a wound that may be contaminated with feces, soil, or saliva - should be cleaned and dressed right away. Although it's important to clean all wounds, remember that cleaning is not a substitute for immunization.

When to Call Your Child's Doctor

If you are not sure whether your child has been immunized against tetanus, or if you know your child has not been fully immunized, call your child's doctor. If it has been more than 10 years since either you or your child has had a tetanus booster, schedule an office visit with the doctor to bring the immunizations up to date.

If your child has a puncture or other deep wound, clean the wound and call your child's doctor to discuss whether your child should receive post-exposure tetanus prophylaxis. If your child develops lockjaw or muscle spasms - particularly after sustaining a wound - seek medical attention right away.