The human body is easily affected by bacteria from the outside world. Although the skin provides a protective barrier between the complex system of the human body and the bacteria from the external harmful sphere, once this barrier is broken the body is easily infected by dangerous bacterias and infections. These infections can be devastating to the human body. One of the diseases that can be contracted by puncture wounds to the human flesh is tetanus, commonly known to the public as lockjaw. The disease tetanus is a serious infection from the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This bacterium produces a toxin that affects the brain and nervous system that leads to stiffness in the muscles. The Clostridium tetani produces neurotoxins that interfere
…show more content…
The earlier a patient is diagnosed with tetanus, the more efficient the treatment for the disease will be for the patient. For instance, a patient with muscle spasms and stiffness who had recently sustained a deep wound or cut should quickly see a doctor for a diagnosis. However, patients who inject drugs because of other medical conditions will require a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. In general, any cut or wound should be thoroughly cleaned to prevent the infection of tetanus to develop as the bacterium Clostridium tetani enters the body mainly through skin cuts or puncture wounds. Furthermore a wound that is prone to tetanus, the patients should seek medical treatment from a medical professional. A wound that is prone to tetanus is defined as a wound that requires surgical intervention that has been delayed for over six hours, has considerable amount of devitalized tissue, any puncture wound that has been in contact with manure or soil, or a serious compound fracture that has been exposed to infection according to the National Health Service. Patients with the types of wounds listed should receive the tetanus immunoglobulin, TIG, as soon as possible as it contains antibodies that kill the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This treatment is injected into the vein to provide an immediate short-term protection against the infection of tetanus. Doctors can also prescribe penicillin or metronidazole, which are antibiotics, for the treatment of tetanus. These antibiotics prevent the bacterium from multiplying and producing the neurotoxin that causes stiff muscles or muscle spasms. However patients that are allergic to penicillin or metronidazole are prescribed tetracycline instead which is another antibiotic that can be used to treat tetanus. Doctors can also authorize the use of anticonvulsants, such as Valium, to relax the muscles in order to prevent spasms and work as a sedative.
The earlier a patient is diagnosed with tetanus, the more efficient the treatment for the disease will be for the patient. For instance, a patient with muscle spasms and stiffness who had recently sustained a deep wound or cut should quickly see a doctor for a diagnosis. However, patients who inject drugs because of other medical conditions will require a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. In general, any cut or wound should be thoroughly cleaned to prevent the infection of tetanus to develop as the bacterium Clostridium tetani enters the body mainly through skin cuts or puncture wounds. Furthermore a wound that is prone to tetanus, the patients should seek medical treatment from a medical professional. A wound that is prone to tetanus is defined as a wound that requires surgical intervention that has been delayed for over six hours, has considerable amount of devitalized tissue, any puncture wound that has been in contact with manure or soil, or a serious compound fracture that has been exposed to infection according to the National Health Service. Patients with the types of wounds listed should receive the tetanus immunoglobulin, TIG, as soon as possible as it contains antibodies that kill the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This treatment is injected into the vein to provide an immediate short-term protection against the infection of tetanus. Doctors can also prescribe penicillin or metronidazole, which are antibiotics, for the treatment of tetanus. These antibiotics prevent the bacterium from multiplying and producing the neurotoxin that causes stiff muscles or muscle spasms. However patients that are allergic to penicillin or metronidazole are prescribed tetracycline instead which is another antibiotic that can be used to treat tetanus. Doctors can also authorize the use of anticonvulsants, such as Valium, to relax the muscles in order to prevent spasms and work as a sedative.