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Causes, risk factors of tetanus (part 3)


Bangladeshpost
Published : 10 Mar 2022 08:21 PM

The bacterium that causes tetanus is called Clostridium tetani. The bacterium can survive in a dormant state in soil and animal feces. It's essentially shut down until it discovers a place to thrive.

When the dormant bacteria enter a wound — a condition good for growth — the cells are "awakened." As they are growing and dividing, they release a toxin called tetanospasmin. The toxin impairs the nerves in the body that control muscles.

Risk factors:

The greatest risk factor for tetanus infection is not being vaccinated or not keeping up with the 10-year booster shots.

Other factors that increase the risk of tetanus infection are:

• Cuts or wounds exposed to soil or manure

• A foreign body in a wound, such as a nail or splinter

• A history of immune-suppressing medical conditions

• Infected skin lesions in people living with diabetes

• An infected umbilical cord when a mother isn't fully vaccinated

• Shared and unsanitary needles for illegal drug use

Courtesy: Mayo Clinic