subject: How To Cure Lockjaw? [print this page] Lockjaw, commonly called as Tetanus is a bacterial disease. It is caused by Clostridium tetani, which affects muscles and nerves. Lockjaw has become as a rare disease due to widespread immunization.
How Tetanus (Lockjaw) spreads?
Tetanus bacteria live throughout the environment (omnipresent) and are commonly found in soil
contaminated with manure. Persons who have not been vaccinated adequately against tetanus are the most likely to
get the disease.
Tetanus occurs more often in older people who have not received adequate booster doses of vaccine and in agricultural workers where contact with animal
manure is more likely.
The tetanus bacteria enter the body through a wound that is contaminated with the
bacteria. It is not spread from person to person.
How Tetanus (Lockjaw) can be prevented?
1. The most important preventive measure is to maintain high level of immunization. Tetanus Toxoid (TT), an effective vaccine for Lockjaw has been available for many years. Tetanus
Toxoid in combination with diphtheria Toxoid and pertussis vaccine (DTP) is given as five dozes at two, four, six and 15 months of age and between four and six years of age. Children who are
seven years of age or older should receive (tetanus and diphtheria) Toxoid. A tetanus
booster shot is recommended every 10 years throughout life.
2. Tetanus can also be prevented by cleaning the wound thoroughly.
Symptoms of Tetanus (Lockjaw)
The incubation period (time taken between infection and symptoms) is usually ten days but may range from three days to three weeks. Incubation periods are shorter if the wounds are heavily contaminated.
A common first symptom of tetanus is muscular stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw), followed by stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, rigidity of abdominal muscles, and spasms.
Treatment for Tetanus (Lockjaw)
Dead or devitalized tissue in and around the wound should be removed and wound should be thoroughly cleaned. 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 the patient has not been previously immunized with a series of at least three doses of Toxoid.
