Sunday, February 1, 2009 . 7:31 PM
my answer to the given question..=)When a person is wounded while walking by the beach, there is a high possibility that he/she will be infected by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani, which is usually found in soil. Once clostridium tetani enters the body, they produce a neurotoxin known as tetanospasmin which will cause muscle spasms. This toxin circulates around the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic system, which interferes the normal activities of the nerves and eventually leads to generalized muscle spasms.
Tetanus injection is given to prevent tetanus as it helps to stimulate the body to produce antibodies that will neutralize the toxin. As it takes several weeks to be effective, tetanus immune globulin is also sometimes given to neutralize the toxins immediately.
References ::
1) Larissa Hirsch, MD. (2007). Tetanus. Retrieved 1 February
2009 from:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/tetanus.html
2) Matthew E. Levison, MD. (2008). Tetanus. Retrieved 1 February
2009 from:
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec17/ch190/ch190v.html
- jasmiine -* =DD
XoxO~ 7:31 PM
