Patient's question:
In one or two days ago, Third Uncle said his nephew got tetanus. Big Aunt, who had just given birth a week ago, noticed something was wrong and immediately took him to the hospital. The doctors at the hospital immediately arranged for him to be hospitalized. The nephew couldn't even cry, his face and lips had already turned purple. What are the symptoms of umbilical cord tetanus?Doctor's answer:
Tetanus is an acute infectious disease. Its characteristic is caused by the invasion of Clostridium tetani into human wounds, leading to generalized tonic spasms. It grows and multiplies in an anaerobic environment. It produces neurotoxic exotoxin. In the past, umbilical cord infection caused neonatal tetanus with a typical incubation period of 7 days. Therefore, it is also known as "seven-day wind." The symptoms of tetanus often manifest as the infant being unable to suck milk in the early stages of the disease because they become restless and cry when they want to sit or stand. Then, the grinning mouth further develops due to teeth grinding, wrinkling of the brow, and twitching of the facial muscles. The entire body convulsions occur during the exhibition period. This process is completed within 24 hours, which is a very rapid developmental period for the infant.