Sandbox parminder
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Tetanus Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Sandbox parminder On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Sandbox parminder |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Causes
Tetanus is caused by the gram-positive, obligate anaerobic bacterium clostridium tetani.
Bacterial Entry
A common way for Tetanus to form is for the clostridium tetani bacteria to enter the body through a wound. Any break in the skin, even a minor one, can allow the bacteria to enter into the body. The deeper the cut, the better off it is for the bacteria, because the tetani bacteria thrives in places with little to no oxygen (it is anaerbobic). Some of the common pathways are:
- Burns
- Animal bites
- equipment is used.
- Lacerations
- Knife wound, broken glass, etc
- Abrasions
- Eye injuries]] and cause infection once in an adequate environment. Because C. tetani is an anaerobic bacterium, it, and its endospores, will thrive in an environment that lacks oxygen. Hence, stepping on a nail (rusty or not) may result in a tetanus infection, due to the ideal bacterial breeding ground provided by the low-oxygen environment of a puncture wound.