Tetanus is an acute anaerobic infection that develops in the course of a wound injury. This disease can affect the nervous system, in some cases causes convulsions and suffocation is observed.
Classification and symptoms of tetanus in adults
The development of the disease is different, because it depends on the form of infection and on the way the tetanus enters the open wound:
- traumatic tetanus;
- infection based on inflammation and necrosis;
- infection that enters the body in an unknown way.
Considering the first symptoms of tetanus and the form of its defeat, distinguish:
- general or generalized tetanus;
- The local form of the disease, which in practice is very rare.
Symptoms of tetanus in humans
The incubation period is about two weeks, but in certain cases it can last up to a month. It all depends on the nature of man. As a rule, the disease begins sharply and proceeds in an acute form. Depending on the severity of the disease, different symptoms may appear. These are twitching and tense muscular joints at the site of infection. Often there are severe headaches, profuse sweating, nervousness.
Here are the symptoms of tetanus appearing at the initial stage of the disease:
- dull pain in the place of infection;
- tonic tension of the chewing muscles - it is difficult for the patient to open his mouth;
- mimic cramps - forehead is covered with wrinkles, lips are stretched as if with a smile;
- the patient is difficult to swallow because of spasms in the throat;
- muscles in the neck are tense.
To accurately determine the disease, it is necessary to diagnose all the symptoms, since some of them are quite similar to other diseases. Only a doctor can cope with this when passing the appropriate tests. The main symptoms of tetanus disease are painful cramps in the trunk region, as well as the hands and feet. In the presence of such complaints, it is possible to consider the disease as certain. It is worth noting that the most dangerous period of tetanus is considered from the tenth to the fourteenth day of the disease. It is at this time that the patient has a rapid metabolism, metabolic acidosis and increased sweating. Cough begins and the patient sometimes very hard to clear his throat. In addition to all this, there may be convulsive attacks during coughing and swallowing. A person in such a situation can simply suffocate. In some cases inflammation of the lungs is of a secondary nature. At night, the patient is hard to fall asleep, normal mental balance is disturbed, and nervous system disorders occur.
Treatment of tetanus
If you seek help from a doctor in time, the outcome will be quite positive. As a rule, treatment does not last more than two months, and clinical relapses gradually subside by 20 days. In severe forms of tetanus, no one can guarantee complete recovery.