If people who are at greater risk of contracting Clostridium tetani do not get a tetanus shot, they may contract the bacteria and develop muscle cramps, which in severe cases can be life-threatening.
Clostridium tetani is widely found in soil and feces and requires an anaerobic environment for its reproduction. The tetanus bacteria stay localized in the wound only to multiply and produce spasmotoxin and hemolytic toxin. The spasmodic toxin produced locally in the wound is absorbed and causes contraction and paroxysmal spasms of the rhabdomyolysis muscle throughout the body. If it affects the respiratory muscles, it may lead to respiratory failure and endanger the patient’s life.
As the sympathetic nerves are affected by the toxin, it causes symptoms such as tachycardia, sweating and arrhythmia. Hemolytic toxin can cause myocardial damage and local tissue necrosis.
Therefore, when trauma occurs, and the wound is deep, serious contamination, etc., should promptly go to the tetanus antitoxin injection to prevent tetanus.