The danger of Tetanus

It is a common misconception that a rusty nail causes Tetanus. It is the toxin produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium Tetani that causes the Tetanus infection.

The spores of Clostridium Tetani are usually found in animal feces and soil. So, if you have a cut by a piece of metal lying on the ground, the spores of Clostridium Tetani could get into your body through the wound. The tetanus bacili would then start producing toxin that causes the infection.

If you have a cut, scratch, or deep punctures from stepping on a nail or any dirty, rusty, or dusty objects, you are at a risk of developing the tetanus infection. Looking at the logic here, even getting a cut from a stone on the ground could lead to a tetanus infection since the tetanus bacili are usually found in soil.

The symptoms of a tetanus infection are stiffness of the jaw (lockjaw), stiffness of the neck, and muscle spasms (in the neck, arms and legs). Other atypical symptoms include restlessness, difficulty in swallowing, irritability, headache, fever, sore throat, and chills. The symptoms might come as early as 2 days or as late as 50 days.

Prevention is better than cure for a tetanus infection. So please get the tetanus jab immediately if you got yourself a cut, scratch, deep puncture wound, or even a burn. In fact, it is recommended that one should get the jab once every ten years. The tetanus shot works by neutralising the toxin, not the bacteria.

Once the symptoms developed, you will be hospitalised. Of course, since you will be 'paralysed' from the muscle spasm and muscle stiffness. That's the danger of tetanus! You can't even open your mouth. Basically, you will be given antibiotics (metrodinazole) to kill the bacteria. In this case, a tetanus immune globulin will be injected into you to neutralise the toxin, since getting the tetanus shot will not help you much. The tetanus shot might take a few days before it starts to work. That is why you should get the tetanus jab as soon as possible after injuring yourself.

Read here for more information from The Merck Manual - Tetanus.