What are the most common victims of tetanus?

What are the most common victims of tetanus?

The risk of death from tetanus is highest among people 65 years old or older. Diabetes, a history of immunosuppression, and intravenous drug use may be risk factors for tetanus. From 2009 through 2017, persons with diabetes was associated with 13% of all reported tetanus cases, and a quarter of all tetanus deaths.

What type of victim is usually affected by tetanus?

Most tetanus deaths occur among infants and the elderly. Everyone who has not had a tetanus shot is at risk to this disease. However, persons in certain occupations such as farming, firefighting, and construction, and campers and gardeners, are at higher risk.

What does tetanus do to its victims?

Tetanus is an infection caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. When the bacteria invade the body, they produce a poison (toxin) that causes painful muscle contractions. Another name for tetanus is “lockjaw”. It often causes a person’s neck and jaw muscles to lock, making it hard to open the mouth or swallow.

Can the body fight off tetanus?

There’s no cure for tetanus. A tetanus infection requires emergency and long-term supportive care while the disease runs its course. Treatment consists of wound care, medications to ease symptoms and supportive care, usually in an intensive care unit.

Who is most at risk for getting tetanus?

Anyone can get tetanus, but the disease is particularly common and serious in newborn babies and pregnant women who have not been sufficiently immunized with tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines.

What are the signs and symptoms of tetanus?

Symptoms and Diagnosis. The incubation period of tetanus varies between 3 to 21 days after infection. Most cases occur within 14 days. Symptoms can include: jaw cramping or the inability to open the mouth. muscle spasms often in the back, abdomen and extremities. sudden painful muscle spasms often triggered by sudden noises.

Can a person get tetanus from a cut?

Key facts. Tetanus is acquired through infection of a cut or wound with the spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani, and most cases occur within 14 days of infection. Tetanus cannot be transmitted from person to person.

How is tetanus transmitted from person to person?

Key facts Tetanus is acquired through infection of a cut or wound with the spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani, and most cases occur within 14 days of infection. Tetanus cannot be transmitted from person to person. Tetanus can be prevented through immunization with tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines (TTCV).

Anyone can get tetanus, but the disease is particularly common and serious in newborn babies and pregnant women who have not been sufficiently immunized with tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines.

Where are tetanus spores found in the environment?

The spores are found everywhere in the environment, particularly in soil, ash, intestinal tracts/feces of animals and humans, and on the surfaces of skin and rusty tools like nails, needles, barbed wire, etc. Being very resistant to heat and most antiseptics, the spores can survive for years.

Key facts. Tetanus is acquired through infection of a cut or wound with the spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani, and most cases occur within 14 days of infection. Tetanus cannot be transmitted from person to person.

Key facts Tetanus is acquired through infection of a cut or wound with the spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani, and most cases occur within 14 days of infection. Tetanus cannot be transmitted from person to person. Tetanus can be prevented through immunization with tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines (TTCV).