Tetanus is an acute infectious disease that is caused by a bacteria. The spores of these bacteria are found everywhere in the environment, like soil, ash, animals and in surfaces of rusty tools, being very resistant to heat and most antiseptics. Anyone can get tetanus, but the disease is more common in low-income countries among women and new-born babies who have not been sufficiently immunized with the vaccine. The incubation period varies between 7 to 21 days, although it is known that the first symptoms can appear around the 14 day of the infection. Some of the symptoms are muscle spasms, seizures, headache, fever and sweating…
Luckily, it can be prevented very easily by a vaccine, but it does not create herd-immunity effects which means that everyone should get vaccinated. There are recommended at least 3 doses from a very early age.
Nevertheless, if you have symptoms, the best you can do is go to the hospital. One out of four people dies of tetanus. However, the patient can recover with antibiotics, vaccines and other specific medication to help deal with the most severe symptoms.