How to cure Lockjaw?
Lockjaw, commonly called as Tetanus is a bacterial disease. It is caused by Clostridium tetani, which affects muscles and nerves. Lockjaw symptoms has become as a rare disease due to widespread immunization. Prevention is always better than cure as we all know. And it is a fact. The jaws get affected in this disease and this is one of the many other Lockjaw symptoms. Stiffness is another symptom enlisted under the list of Lockjaw symptoms. The disease is usually referred as tetanus. It should be treated early so that the patient should move out of the state of pandemonium as soon as possible. Spasms are caused side by side. The facial muscles also get affected.
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.
