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Questions and Answers
What is characterized by muscular rigidity and painful spasms of voluntary muscles?
What is characterized by muscular rigidity and painful spasms of voluntary muscles?
What is the mortality rate of tetanus?
What is the mortality rate of tetanus?
40 to 80 per cent
Neonatal tetanus is the leading cause of mortality in infants.
Neonatal tetanus is the leading cause of mortality in infants.
False
What immunization is recommended for pregnant women to prevent tetanus?
What immunization is recommended for pregnant women to prevent tetanus?
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The spores of tetanus are very resistant and remain in the environment in extremes of temperature for long periods. Therefore, it is not possible to __________ tetanus.
The spores of tetanus are very resistant and remain in the environment in extremes of temperature for long periods. Therefore, it is not possible to __________ tetanus.
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Which of the following is a strategy implemented in India to control neonatal tetanus?
Which of the following is a strategy implemented in India to control neonatal tetanus?
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What was defined as the elimination of neonatal tetanus?
What was defined as the elimination of neonatal tetanus?
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Maternal and neonatal tetanus is an important preventable cause of neonatal and maternal mortality.
Maternal and neonatal tetanus is an important preventable cause of neonatal and maternal mortality.
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Study Notes
Tetanus Overview
- Caused by the exotoxin from Clostridium tetani, leading to acute disease characterized by muscle rigidity and spasms.
- Commonly known symptoms include "lock-jaw" (masseter muscle spasms) and risus sardonicus (facial muscle spasms).
- Muscular spasms can affect the abdomen and lower limbs, often presenting as opisthotonos.
- Mortality rate ranges from 40-80%, especially when untreated.
Neonatal Tetanus
- Neonatal tetanus (NT) is a significant cause of mortality in infants, second only to measles among target diseases in immunization programs.
- In areas with inadequate healthcare access, the case-fatality rate for NT can be as high as 80-90%.
- Maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) is a preventable cause of maternal and infant deaths, particularly in developing nations.
Prevention Strategies in India
- A mixed approach is utilized to promote clean deliveries via training auxiliary nurses, midwives, and birth attendants at the village level.
- Enhanced routine tetanus (TT) immunization and supplemental immunization activities target women of child-bearing age in high-risk regions.
- Systematic vaccination of pregnant women during antenatal care is emphasized, alongside promotion of aseptic obstetric practices.
Key Prevention Measures
- Clean delivery practices and proper umbilical cord care to prevent infections.
- Administration of tetanus toxoid-containing vaccines (TTCV) during antenatal care.
- Vaccination campaigns aimed at all women of reproductive age in high-risk areas.
- Strengthening surveillance to identify women at risk and understand factors contributing to NT.
Historical Context and Goals
- In the 1980s, tetanus accounted for over 1 million deaths annually; 787,000 deaths from NT were reported in 1988.
- The 42nd World Health Assembly aimed to eliminate NT by 1995 through increased availability of TTCV and improved delivery practices.
- Eradication of tetanus is considered technically unfeasible due to the spore's resistance, but MNT can be reduced to levels where it no longer poses a public health threat.
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Description
This quiz covers the details of tetanus, an acute disease caused by Clostridium tetani, characterized by severe muscular rigidity and painful spasms. It also discusses various management strategies that have been implemented in India to combat the disease's high mortality rate. Test your knowledge on this critical public health issue.
