How to Cures for Clostridium Tetani

Clostridium tetani is a bacteria that causes a disease called tetanus, or lockjaw, that affects the nervous system. C. tetani can be found in soil and feces and you can get infected if you break your skin with an object that contains the bacteria. Symptoms of tetanus include lockjaw, stiffness in the neck, difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms and seizures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 to 20 percent of tetanus cases lead to death, especially among the elderly. There are several effective vaccines against tetanus and for optimal prevention you should get vaccinated every 10 years. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no cure for tetanus. Treatment consists of wound care and medications to ease symptoms, and supportive care.

Things You'll Need

• Antibiotics
• Water and soap
• Antibiotic ointment
• Bandages

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Instructions

• 1

  Clean the wound to prevent growth of bacteria. Remove dirt, foreign objects and dead tissue from the wound. Wash the wound with warm water and soap. Control bleeding by applying pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops. After the wound is clean, apply antibiotic ointment to the area. This can discourage bacterial growth. Leave the injured tissue uncovered as long as there is no risk of getting dirt in the wound; otherwise, cover it with a bandage.

• 2

  Go to the hospital or to your physician if the wound is deep and dirty. Your doctor may give you an antitoxin to neutralize the tetanus toxin. However, only toxin that has not been bonded to nerve tissue can be neutralized with the antitoxin.

• 3

  Take antibiotics according to your physician's order. Your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics to help your body fight the C. tetani bacteria. The antibiotics may be given orally or by injection. Your doctor may also give you sedatives for possible muscle spasms and other medications to treat the symptoms of tetanus.