Post by Rudy on Nov 13, 2004 20:15:46 GMT -5
I know, I know, you are probably expecting another funny story from me but ... no, this is serious.
Our hobby is undoubtedly a lot of fun, specially when we pull a goody out of the ground. However, in the course of pulling that seated/ring/bullet/..., our hands are constantly in that dirt. So are rusted nails and other bits of metal and broken glass. YOU WILL GET SCRATCHED. There is no avoiding it.
The microbe Clostridium tetani is responsible for causing the characteristic muscle rigidity often seen in tetanus, more commonly known as lockjaw. The organism is found in most soils and enters an animal’s body through dirty, neglected wounds and especially via punctures. The exotoxin which C. tetani produces binds to the nerves at the site of the injury and then travels to the spinal cord and brain. A stiff gait, rigidity of the extremities ("sawhorse" stance), inability to eat and overreaction to sounds are signs of tetanus. They appear about two weeks to a month following infection, but can be seen earlier depending upon the amount of toxin produced. The toxin prevents muscles from relaxing, so once a muscle has been stimulated to contract, such as to close the jaw, it cannot return to its original relaxed state, thus creating the rigidity seen with the disease. Death results from either an inability to breath or due to seizures.
So, is your tetanus booster shot up to date? When did you last have a tetanus booster?
A booster shot is good for about 7-10 years. If you haven't had one for a while, think about getting one. It's relatively painless as it goes in you triceps - with a short needle.
Here are some FAQ's on tetanus.
How is tetanus spread?
Tetanus is contracted through a wound which becomes contaminated with the organism. It is not transmitted from person to person.
Where is the tetanus germ found?
The tetanus germ is present throughout the environment and is commonly found in soil contaminated with manure.
What are the symptoms of tetanus?
A common first sign of tetanus is muscular stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw), followed by stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, rigidity of abdominal muscles, spasms, sweating and fever.
How soon after infection do symptoms occur?
The incubation period is usually eight days but may range from three days to three weeks. Shorter incubation periods are associated with more heavily contaminated wounds.
Does past infection with tetanus make a person immune?
Recovery from tetanus may not result in immunity. Second attacks can occur and immunization is indicated after recovery.
What is the treatment for tetanus?
Wounds should be thoroughly cleaned, and dead or devitalized tissue removed. If the patient has not had a tetanus toxoid booster in the previous 10 years, a single booster injection should be administered on the day of injury. For severe wounds, a booster may be given if more than five years have elapsed since the last dose. Tetanus immune globulin (TIG), antitoxin or antibiotics may be given if the patient has not been previously immunized with a series of at least three doses of toxoid.
What are the complications associated with tetanus?
Complications include spasm of the vocal cords and/or spasms of the respiratory muscles causing interference with breathing. Other complications include fractures of the spine or long bones, hypertension, abnormal heartbeats, coma, generalized infection, clotting in the blood vessels of the lung, pneumonia and death.
Is there a vaccine for tetanus?
An effective vaccine called tetanus toxoid has been available for many years. Tetanus toxoid in combination with diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) is given at two, four, six and 12-15 months of age, and between four and six years of age. Children who are seven years of age or older should receive Td (tetanus and diphtheria) toxoid. A tetanus booster shot is recommended every 10 years.
Our hobby is undoubtedly a lot of fun, specially when we pull a goody out of the ground. However, in the course of pulling that seated/ring/bullet/..., our hands are constantly in that dirt. So are rusted nails and other bits of metal and broken glass. YOU WILL GET SCRATCHED. There is no avoiding it.
The microbe Clostridium tetani is responsible for causing the characteristic muscle rigidity often seen in tetanus, more commonly known as lockjaw. The organism is found in most soils and enters an animal’s body through dirty, neglected wounds and especially via punctures. The exotoxin which C. tetani produces binds to the nerves at the site of the injury and then travels to the spinal cord and brain. A stiff gait, rigidity of the extremities ("sawhorse" stance), inability to eat and overreaction to sounds are signs of tetanus. They appear about two weeks to a month following infection, but can be seen earlier depending upon the amount of toxin produced. The toxin prevents muscles from relaxing, so once a muscle has been stimulated to contract, such as to close the jaw, it cannot return to its original relaxed state, thus creating the rigidity seen with the disease. Death results from either an inability to breath or due to seizures.
So, is your tetanus booster shot up to date? When did you last have a tetanus booster?
A booster shot is good for about 7-10 years. If you haven't had one for a while, think about getting one. It's relatively painless as it goes in you triceps - with a short needle.
Here are some FAQ's on tetanus.
How is tetanus spread?
Tetanus is contracted through a wound which becomes contaminated with the organism. It is not transmitted from person to person.
Where is the tetanus germ found?
The tetanus germ is present throughout the environment and is commonly found in soil contaminated with manure.
What are the symptoms of tetanus?
A common first sign of tetanus is muscular stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw), followed by stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, rigidity of abdominal muscles, spasms, sweating and fever.
How soon after infection do symptoms occur?
The incubation period is usually eight days but may range from three days to three weeks. Shorter incubation periods are associated with more heavily contaminated wounds.
Does past infection with tetanus make a person immune?
Recovery from tetanus may not result in immunity. Second attacks can occur and immunization is indicated after recovery.
What is the treatment for tetanus?
Wounds should be thoroughly cleaned, and dead or devitalized tissue removed. If the patient has not had a tetanus toxoid booster in the previous 10 years, a single booster injection should be administered on the day of injury. For severe wounds, a booster may be given if more than five years have elapsed since the last dose. Tetanus immune globulin (TIG), antitoxin or antibiotics may be given if the patient has not been previously immunized with a series of at least three doses of toxoid.
What are the complications associated with tetanus?
Complications include spasm of the vocal cords and/or spasms of the respiratory muscles causing interference with breathing. Other complications include fractures of the spine or long bones, hypertension, abnormal heartbeats, coma, generalized infection, clotting in the blood vessels of the lung, pneumonia and death.
Is there a vaccine for tetanus?
An effective vaccine called tetanus toxoid has been available for many years. Tetanus toxoid in combination with diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) is given at two, four, six and 12-15 months of age, and between four and six years of age. Children who are seven years of age or older should receive Td (tetanus and diphtheria) toxoid. A tetanus booster shot is recommended every 10 years.