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Tetanus   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Lockjaw

Treatment

• Control and reverse the tetany with antitoxin, tetanus immune globulin.
• Penicillin can be given to kill the Clostridium tetani; other antibiotics such as clindamycin, erythromycin, or metronidazole can be used in patients who are allergic to penicillin.
• Remove and destroy the source of the toxin through surgical exploration and cleaning of the wound (debridement).
• Treat symptoms with supportive therapy. Muscle spasms can be treated with muscle relaxants such as diazepam. Bedrest with a non-stimulating environment is also recommended (dim light, reduced noise, and stable temperature). Sedation may be necessary to keep the affected person quiet.Respiratory support with oxygen, endotracheal tube, and mechanical ventilation may be necessary.

Prognosis

The death rate is high in children and in the elderly. Wounds on the head or face seem to be more dangerous than those on the body. If the person survives the acute illness, recovery is generally complete. Uncorrected episodes of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) caused by muscle spasms in the larynx throat may lead to irreversible brain damage.

Complications

• airway obstruction
• respiratory arrest
• heart failure
• pneumonia
• fractures

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call your health care provider if you sustain an open wound and you have not received a tetanus booster (vaccine) within 5 years.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have never been immunized against tetanus as an adult or child, if your children are not immunized, or if you are unsure of your tetanus immunization (vaccine) status.

Ency. home > Disease > T > Tetanus

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