Tetanus

Tetanus is an acute contagious disease characterized with hypertonia of sceletal muscles, spasms, hyperexcitability, common intoxication, high rate of mortality.

Tetanus pathogen - large-size anaerobic rod. This microorganism is able to produce strongest poison which aggravates secretion production in myoneural junctions. Microorganism is widely spread in nature, it persists in soil for a long time. Also it lives in intestinal tract of many domestic animals. So the animals are major source of infection, and way of transmission is soil.

Symptoms and course
Incubation period is 5 – 14 days, and the more shorter it is, the more severe disease is. Tetanus starts with unpleasant sensations in wound area, general uneasiness, anxiety, irritancy, appetite loss, headache, chills, fever. Patient suffers from masseteric cramps which make it difficult to open his mouth.

Cramp of swallowing muscles causes appearing of sardonic grin on patient's face and also makes it difficult to swallow. Those primary symptoms are specific only for tetanus. Then are developed stiffness  of neck and long back muscles, back pains; therefore, patient is forced to lie in typical position with head drawn backwards and body bent forwards. By the third day abdomen muscles become tense, legs are drawn and their motions are restricted, however hands motions are little bit easier.

Dramatic tension of abdomen muscles makes breath more frequent and shallow. Crotch muscle contraction makes it difficult to urinate. Patient suffers from common cramps which last from several seconds to several minutes and often are caused by external irritants (when touching the bed). Patient's face turns blue and expresses suffering. Cramps may cause asphyxia, paralysis of heart work and breath.

During the whole illness patient keeps his consciousness. Tetanus is followed by high body temperature and sweatiness. The higher temperature is, the worse prognosis is. In favorable oucome the disease manifestations last 3 – 4 weeks, and usually on 10 – 12 day condition significantly improves. People who recovered from tetanus may suffer for a long time from common weakness, muscle constraint and weakness of cardiovascular activity.

Complications: pneumonia, muscle rupture, spinal compression fracture.