Tooth extraction, colon polyp removal, and hemorrhoid ligation can create conditions for tetanus bacteria to enter and cause disease.
On November 10, Doctor Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director, VNVC Vaccination System, said as above, after information that a 65-year-old patient had a critical case of tetanus and had to be on a ventilator even though his body had no scars. love.
According to Dr. Chinh, tetanus pathogens exist in the surrounding environment such as dust, soil, and feces, usually infecting the body through all types of open wounds. However, there are still cases where the “entrance” cannot be found. In this case, the patient may have a small wound that has healed on its own, or pathogens entered through decayed teeth, dental procedures, or gastrointestinal surgery.
Tetanus pathogens under a microscope. Image: US CDC
Explaining more clearly, Doctor Chinh cited a study on secondary tetanus due to oral and dental infections on 26 patients by Peruvian scientists, published in the US National Library of Medicine in 2023. 73% Oral tetanus cases are related to dental procedures, of which dental caries accounts for 23% of cases. The mortality rate of dental tetanus is 30.77%.
Also according to the above study, tetanus bacteria may have been previously present in the oral cavity and entered the bloodstream when the tooth was extracted. Clostridium spores deposited in the wound will secrete a protein toxin called Tetanospasmin. This substance interferes with the nerves that control muscle movement, increases muscle tone and causes spasticity, which can even lead to death if not treated promptly.
In cases of tetanus after gastrointestinal surgery, a case report in Roeselare, Belgium in 2019, explained the mechanism of infection. Bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract can be a source of endogenous tetanus infection. When a patient has a wound in the digestive tract, pathogens enter the body.
Adults get vaccinated at VNVC. Image: Nhat Linh
According to Dr. Chinh, tetanus can be complicated by laryngospasm, bone fractures, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, difficulty breathing… Vaccination is a proactive and safe way to prevent the disease. If given enough doses, the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing disease is up to 95%.
Adults with unknown vaccination history and three basic vaccinations. The second shot is one month after the first shot and the third shot is 6 months after the second shot. After that, each person needs a booster shot every 10 years or when there is a wound.
Pregnant women need to be vaccinated against tetanus to avoid infection and illness during labor and limit the risk of neonatal tetanus. Children need to follow the tetanus vaccination regimen, usually in combination vaccines such as 5 in 1, 6 in 1, and repeat vaccinations at pre-school age such as 4-6 years old, adolescents 9-15 year old.