Tetanus is not something which can be ignored. It affects our nervous system greatly. Tetanus is also known by the common name of Lockjaw. As the name suggests, the disease often leads to muscle inflexibility, seizure and ultimately death. Tetanus is caused by a bacterium Clostridium tetani. These bacteria are present all around our surroundings including the land, water and animal faeces. In fact, your skin is not free from this bacterium as well.
The infection is triggered off when the spores have been planted deep inside your body and become active. These bacteria are anaerobic. This means they can survive even without oxygen. The deeper they go in your body, the more chances of them living.
Once the spores are set active, these microorganisms start releasing a toxin called Tetanospasmin. This toxin attaches itself to the nerves around the area of the injury. It can also dispense itself and get attached to the ends of the nerves of the spinal cord and the neuromuscular junctions.
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There are two types of tetanus viz, local tetanus and cephalic tetanus. Local tetanus is restricted to the injury while cephalic tetanus affects the facial nerves which usually occurs after the head injury. Neonatal tetanus is a rare type of tetanus which occurs in newborns.
That’s why you should get the tetanus vaccines on time after getting grazes and injuries. Though there are certain side effects of the vaccine as well. you can experience fever, fatigue, joint pain, nausea and muscle pains. Tetanus vaccines can also be followed by swelling, redness, pain and itching at the site of the injection.
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There are other rare side effects as well which can include difficulty in swallowing, hearing, tingling of the hands and feet, seizures and muscle weakness. In worst cases, it can also be accompanied by allergic reaction like an itching or a swelling on the facial region or thread. But no matter what the side effects are, you should always get your tetanus vaccines in case of any injury.
