Tetanus

Author: Jonathan Tipping / Editor: Yasmin Sultan, Chris Gray / Reviewer: Jamie Sillett / Code: A5, O3, PP3 / Published: 20/04/2023

The module describes the initial management of tetanus in the emergency department (ED).

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Diagnose a rare condition from given facts
• Describe the initial management of tetanus in the emergency department
• Explain how to anticipate and manage life-threatening complications
• Recognise that it is appropriate to report the disease

References:

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4. UK Health Security Agency. Tetanus in England: 2021. [Accessed Jan 23, 2023].
5. UK Health Security Agency. Notifiable diseases and causative organisms: how to report. Published May 2022. [Accessed Jan 23, 2023].
6. Department of Health. Immunisation Green Book Chapter 30 Tetanus. Published June 2022. [Accessed January 23, 2023].
7. Tetanus vaccines: WHO position paper February 2017. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 2017;92(6):53-76.
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11. Apte NM, Karnad DR. Short report: the spatula test: a simple bedside test to diagnose tetanus. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1995 Oct;53(4):386-7.
12. Mahieu R, et al. Admission of tetanus patients to the ICU: a retrospective multicentre study. Ann. Intensive Care 7, 112, 2017.
13. Filia A, Bella A, et al. Tetanus in Italy 2001-2010: A continuing threat in older adults. Vaccine (2014);32(6):639-644.
14. Ablett JJL. Analysis and main experiences in 82 patients treated in the Leeds Tetanus Unit. In: Ellis M, ed. Symposium on Tetanus in Great Britain. Boston Spa, UK: National Lending Library, 1967;1-10.
15. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Diazepam. NICE BNF [Accessed January 23, 2023].
16. Okoromah CAN, Lesi AFE. Diazepam for treating tetanus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD003954. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003954.pub2
17. Reddy VG. Pharmacotherapy of tetanus–a review. Middle East J Anaesthesiol. 2002 Feb;16(4):419-42.