As a child, many of us were told about the dangers of stepping on a rusty nail. “Step on one and you could get lockjaw” was what I was told. For that reason, many of us assume that tetanus is caused by a cut or scratch from a metallic object. In fact, tetanus - an infection of the nervous system - is caused by a bacteria commonly found in soil, feces or saliva called Clostridium tetani (C. tetani). Thus it’s the dirt on the rusty nail, not the rust that carries the threat of tetanus. It should also be noted that dirty needles, such as those used for tattooing or piercing, can carry the C. tetani bacteria.
The biggest risk for tetanus is from deep puncture wounds or cuts that aren’t properly cleaned. Wounds that are on the face or head also tend to be more dangerous. A person becomes infected when the spores of the C. tetani bacteria enter the wound and release a neurotoxin that causes muscle spasms. This toxin can then travel throughout your body via the lymph or blood system and create more muscle spasms. Tetanus can be fatal.
Tetanus is often called lockjaw because muscle spasms in the jaw are generally the first symptom. This can lead to pain or stiffness in the neck, shoulders and back, as well as make it difficult to swallow. As the neurotoxin spreads, so do the spasms. If the spasms become severe enough they can tear muscles or cause fractures. Symptoms usually appear within a week to four weeks.
If you have suffered a deep cut or wound that you think may put you at risk for tetanus, contact your physician. Even if you have been vaccinated a booster shot may be necessary. Immunization for tetanus is believed to protect you for 10 years.
It certainly is. While most people diagnosed with pneumonia eventually develop a symptomatic cough - not all of them do. Symptoms of pneumonia can vary widely.
For instance, one woman recently had a cough for weeks. When she went to her physician she was initially diagnosed with bronchitis. She had aching lungs, and a racking cough that was so bad she injured the intercostal muscles between her ribs, but the physician did not hear fluid in her lungs. She was also fever-free. A week later, after the original antibiotics didn’t improve her condition, she was given a chest x-ray that came back abnormal. A subsequent CT scan revealed she had pneumonia in both lungs. A stronger course of antibiotics eliminated the pneumonia.
Over the past couple weeks a new outbreak of Salmonella poisoning was confirmed – 1,300 people in America became ill after eating raw jalapeño peppers. Salmonella poisoning can be serious, so let’s look at this growing health problem.
What is Salmonella? An American scientist named Daniel Elmer Salmon discovered this bacterium over a hundred years ago. There are over 2,000 different species of Salmonella and many are common in the United States. The bacteria live in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of many creatures and are passed in the stool. When ingested, it can cause a variety of GI complaints.
On a daily basis, we see several patients in the Emergency Department who have diarrhea. A majority of them suffer from the “stomach flu” – a viral illness that goes away in a few days. However, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control, another form of diarrhea, caused by Clostridium difficile (C. diff), now accounts for 10,000 additional cases of colon infection each year. What is worrisome is that this intestinal superbug is now becoming resistant to the usual antibiotic treatments. Let’s look more closely at this intestinal infection.
What is Clostridium difficile? This is a common bacterium that is found virtually everywhere - including the soil, water, animals, and the colons of humans. A serious intestinal infection called colitis can result from the overgrowth of this bacterium within the colon.
In 1990, hospitals began to see a rise in the presence of the bacteria Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA). Today, this formerly “unfamiliar” bacterium is a common household term, known as “staph”, because of its presence in hospitals, nursing homes, and the community at large. The prevalence of MRSA is one example of the rising incidence of bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics. The presence of MRSA is a concern for all, so let’s take a closer look.
What is MRSA? Staph aureus is a common bacterium found on the skin and within the nasal passages. It does not cause a problem for someone until the skin is cut and the bacteria enter the body. Then, a localized infection can occur that may appear red and exhibit drainage. Staph may also be present in a pimple or a boil.
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