Nonetheless, we inject US infants with three doses of DTaP – containing tetanus toxoid, pertussis toxoid, formaldehyde and aluminum – by the time they are six months of age. Nor do we treat the umbilical stump with clay or cow dung, which is done in many African countries. We are shown this picture over and over again.as a warning of what could happen if you don’t give your infant a tetanus shot – at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.īut we don’t use unsterile blades to cut the umbilical cord in First World countries. Many of you have probably seen the picture of an infant who has advanced neonatal tetanus. In 2000, neonatal tetanus was responsible for about 215,000 deaths worldwide. Infants often die due to airway compromise and inability to feed. It occurs when the umbilical stump is cut with an unsterile instrument. NEONATAL TETANUS: This form of generalized tetanus occurs in newborn infants. This form of tetanus is more likely than other forms of tetanus to be fatal, carrying a 15-30% fatality rate.Ĥ. It is most usually associated with a head injury, especially a skull fracture. CEPHALIC TETANUS: This rare form involves the muscles and cranial nerves in the facial area. Local tetanus is generally mild only about 1% of cases are fatal.ģ. These contractions may persist for many weeks before gradually subsiding. LOCALIZED TETANUS: This uncommon form of tetanus presents as persistent muscle contractions in the same area as the injury where the spores most likely entered. Spasms may occur frequently and last for several minutes. The first sign is trismus, or lockjaw, followed by stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, and rigidity of abdominal muscles. GENERALIZED TETANUS: This is the most common type (more than 80% of reported cases). How common is tetanus?īased on clinical findings, there are four different forms of tetanus.ġ. There’s no reason to panic, drop everything and go screeching off to the ER for a tetanus shot. Note the time frame: On average, becoming ill with tetanus takes 10 to 14 days, but it can be even longer. According to CDC data, the incubation period - the time from exposure to the onset of tetanus illness - averages 10 days but can range from 3 to 21 days or even several months later. Once tetanospasmin is released, it slowly dissipates through the tissues until it reaches a synapse at a nerve junction. When the spore germinates under anaerobic conditions (areas with low oxygen), it releases a toxin called tetanospasmin, the second most potent toxin known to humans, surpassed only by botulism toxin. The tissues at highest risk are dirty wounds caused by a severe burn or a crush injury. tetani exists as a spore that can enter the body through a cut or a wound. Tetanus is caused by a toxin released by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, a microbe that is widely distributed in the environment, and commonly found in the intestinal flora of domestic animals, horses, chickens, and even in the GI tracts of man.Ĭ. This is why the cause of death from severe tetanus is often respiratory arrest. Slight movement can cause severe spasms, called trismus, and clamping of the masseter muscles (lockjaw.) The spasms are excruciatingly painful and often uncontrollable, which can lead to an inability to breathe, drink, or eat. If Machie’s suspicions are correct and the dangerous Gaia Cult has returned, then an apocalyptic outbreak is imminent, and it will be up to her to save her loved ones and find a safe haven in a dead world.Tetanus is an illness is characterized by rigidity and spasms of skeletal muscles, specifically the muscles of the face and neck. hiding in her apartment building, and questionable activity in the Bamako Megacity. Living with the knowledge that the world is in danger is difficult, made more complicated by the arrival of visiting family, a rogue A.I. The zombie virus kills, brings the dead back to life, and instills in the resurrected Scourge the overwhelming need to bite and spread the contagion. In the past, the fanatical Gaia Cult has used the potent Inferi Plague Virus as a terrorist weapon. The surviving aircrew is grounded and ordered to maintain their silence about the possible emergence of an old enemy so ruthless its sole purpose is to wipe out humanity. Machie Ibeke is on the verge of becoming a pilot of her own Hawk in the West African Union Military when the final flight before her promotion is interrupted by a horrifying terrorist attack.
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