Tetanus, also called “lockjaw”, is a serious but preventable disease caused by a bacterial infection that affects the body’s nerves and muscles. It is known as a “lockjaw” because it can cause stiffness and pain in the jaw muscles.
When a person has a wound, the tetanus bacteria can get in through a break in the mucous or skin membrane. Any cut, deep scrape, injury, puncture wound, or deep burn that breaks the skin or mucous membrane is known as a wound.
If tetanus enters an open wound, the bacteria will make a toxin (precisely a poison) that causes severe seizures and muscle spasms. These muscle spasms in your jaw make it difficult to open your mouth, otherwise known as “lockjaw”. Tetanus can be very life-threatening and can lead to death.
The best effective way to prevent this infection is to have a tetanus shot, i.e. be vaccinated, since most cases occur in people who have not been vaccinated. Tetanus toxoid is a safe, stable, inexpensive, and effective vaccine for pregnant women and immunocompromised persons of all ages.
However, if you weren’t vaccinated against tetanus, you should speak to a doctor about getting the vaccine. Doctors can also use medicine to help prevent the infection in cases where a person is seriously injured and doesn’t have protection from tetanus vaccines.
Tetanus is a medical emergency that needs treatment. Seek medical attention if you have a deep and dirty wound, especially if you’re not sure when you were last vaccinated. Read more on how vaccines work HERE.
In this article, we have listed the ways you can prevent tetanus infection, particularly if you’re unvaccinated. There are majorly two ways of avoiding tetanus; immunization and wound care. We will discuss wound care as a means of preventing tetanus illness.
Ways to prevent tetanus infection
Tetanus is often fatal, even with expert treatments; prevention is essential. Puncture wounds, animal bites, other deep cuts, or particularly unclean wounds put you at heightened risk of tetanus infection.
Leave dirty wounds open to avoid bacteria entering the wound with a bandage. If you’ve been vaccinated before, your body will rapidly make the needed antibodies to protect you against tetanus. However, if you’re not vaccinated, and you have a minor wound, the following steps will help prevent you from having the infection;
- Control wound bleeding: Apply direct pressure – a continuous pressure with both hands directly on top of a bleeding wound – to control bleeding.
- Keep the wound clean: Rinse the wound thoroughly with clean running water after the bleeding is altered. Clean the wound area with soap and a washcloth. If something is embedded in the injury, see a doctor.
- Cover the wound: Exposing an injury to the air might speed healing, but bandages can keep wounds clean and prevent harmful bacteria. Draining blisters can attract bacteria; therefore, keep them covered until a scab sets up.
- Change wound dressing: Apply a new dressing at least once a day or if the dressing gets dirty or wet to help prevent infection.
- Use antibiotics: After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment or cream. Antibiotics will make the wound heal faster, but they can frustrate bacterial infection and growth.
