The World Health Organization (WHO) defines tetanus as “an acute infectious disease caused by spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani.” When most of us think of tetanus, the first mental image we get is of stepping on a rusty nail. There are so many different ways that one can come in contact with this bacterium. According to The World Health Organization, spores are also found in soil, ash, and in the intestinal tracts of animals and humans.
Because of its prominence, it’s vital for anyone who may come in contact with this bacterium to understand more about the disease. Especially your utility technicians. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know. We’ve included some tips to stress that can help with tetanus prevention for your utility technicians.
The connection between rust and tetanus
As we mentioned earlier, most people correlate tetanus with a rusty object like a nail or barbed wire. And while there is a definite connection between rust and the disease, rust is not what actually causes the problem. The biggest driver in tetanus is ordinary soil that becomes trapped in the porous surface of rust. Meaning rust only provides the avenue in which the bacterium can be transferred.
It’s important to know that Clostridium tetani is dormant and does not become active until it enters the body. The result is the production of a neurotoxin called tetanospasmin. It can be harmful to nerve tissue and cause muscle spasms like lockjaw, fever, rapid heart rate, and difficulty swallowing.
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How dangerous is tetanus?
People of all ages can get tetanus. The groups who suffer severe reactions include newborn babies, pregnant women, and the elderly. WHO reports that 34,000 newborns died from neonatal tetanus in 2015. A number dramatically less (96%) than what it was in 1988. 787,000 babies died from the disease in their first month of living.
Related: Rust Overview & Prevention
The tetanus vaccine has been in use for about a century. In more recent years though, advanced vaccines have become available. In both adults and children, these vaccines cover several illnesses, including tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) in one dose. Tetanus most occurs in parts of the world where vaccination use is low.
Prevention against tetanus
Generally speaking, practicing good hygiene is critical for utility technicians. Especially those who are actively digging in the soil or handling wastewater. Additionally, both the WHO and CDC suggest immunizations as a means of prevention against tetanus. On the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, you’ll find information regarding the tetanus vaccine.
First aid is crucial for any technicians who come into contact with rusty objects, as they may carry the bacterium. Wash effected area(s) with soap and apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth to help slow or stop bleeding. Be sure to remove any debris in the wound with sanitized tweezers before applying antiseptic ointment to the area. Finally, dress the wound with a clean bandage to shield it from any other harmful contaminants entering.
Utility Partners of America recognizes what it takes to be a utility tech
As someone that has partnered with utility companies and energy co-ops for decades, we understand and appreciate what life is like for your techs. That’s why we help companies like yours with education, processes, and partnerships that make their lives easier. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help you, contact us today.
"Tetanasi ni ugonjwa wa kuambukiza unaosababishwa na bakteria ya ""Clostridium tetani"" ambayo mara nyingi huonekana kama ""kuinuka juu ya msumari ulio na kutu.""" Kuna njia nyingi sana ambazo mtu anaweza kuwasiliana na bakteria hii. Kulingana na Shirika la Afya Ulimwenguni, spora hupatikana pia katika udongo, majivu, na katika matumbo ya wanyama na wanadamu. Kwa sababu ya umaarufu wake, ni muhimu kwa mtu yeyote ambaye anaweza kuwasiliana na bakteria hii kuelewa zaidi juu ya ugonjwa huo. Hasa mafundi wako wa huduma. Chini, utapata kila kitu unahitaji kujua. Tumejumuisha vidokezo kadhaa vya kusisitiza ambavyo vinaweza kusaidia katika kuzuia tetanasi kwa mafundi wako wa huduma. Kama tulivyotajwa hapo awali, watu wengi huhusianisha tetanasi na kitu chenye kutu kama vile msumari au waya wenye miiba. Ingawa kuna uhusiano wa karibu kati ya kutu na ugonjwa huo, si kutu inayosababisha tatizo hilo. Kichocheo kikuu cha ugonjwa wa tetanasi ni udongo wa kawaida ambao hufungwa katika uso wenye umajimaji wa kutu. Maana kutu hutoa tu njia ambayo bakteria inaweza kuhamishwa. Ni muhimu kujua kwamba Clostridium tetani ni dormant na haina kuwa hai mpaka inaingia katika mwili. Matokeo ni kutokezwa kwa sumu ya neva iitwayo tetanospasmin. Inaweza kuharibu tishu za neva na kusababisha mshtuko wa misuli kama vile kiwiko, homa, mpigo wa moyo wa haraka, na ugumu wa kumeza. Kugundua Uvujaji Sehemu ya Kwanza: Maji Tetanasi Ni Hatari Kadiri Gani? Watu wa umri wote wanaweza kupatwa na ugonjwa wa tetanasi. Vikundi vinavyopatwa na athari kali ni pamoja na watoto wachanga, wanawake wajawazito, na wazee-wazee. WHO imesema watoto 34,000 waliozaliwa mwaka 2015 walikufa kutokana na ugonjwa wa tetanasi. Idadi hiyo ni ya chini sana (kwa asilimia 96), ikilinganishwa na mwaka 1988. Watoto 787,000 walifariki kutokana na ugonjwa huo mwezi wa kwanza wa maisha yao. "Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, ""Rust Overview & Prevention"" ni chanjo ya tetanasi ambayo imekuwa ikitumiwa kwa karibu karne moja." Hata hivyo, katika miaka ya karibuni, chanjo za hali ya juu zimepatikana. Katika watu wazima na watoto, chanjo hizi hufunika magonjwa kadhaa, ikiwa ni pamoja na tetanasi na pertussis (kibofu cha kibofu) katika kipimo kimoja. Tetanasi hutokea zaidi katika sehemu za ulimwengu ambapo matumizi ya chanjo ni ya chini. Kuzuia tetanasi Kwa ujumla, ni muhimu kwa mafundi wa huduma za umma kuwa na usafi mzuri. Hasa wale ambao ni kikamilifu kuchimba katika udongo au kushughulikia maji taka. Kwa kuongezea, WHO na CDC hupendekeza chanjo kama njia ya kuzuia tetanasi. Kwenye tovuti ya Vituo vya Kudhibiti na Kuzuia Magonjwa (CDC), utapata habari kuhusu chanjo ya tetanasi. Msaada wa kwanza ni muhimu kwa mafundi wowote wanaogusa vitu vilivyo na kutu, kwa kuwa vinaweza kubeba bakteria. Osha eneo lililoathiriwa kwa sabuni na ufanye shinikizo laini kwa kitambaa safi ili kusaidia kupunguza au kuacha kutokwa na damu. Hakikisha kwamba unaondoa mabaki yoyote katika jeraha kwa kutumia tweezers zilizosafishwa kabla ya kutumia mafuta ya kuua vimelea kwenye eneo hilo. Mwishowe, funga jeraha hilo kwa bandage safi ili kulilinda lisiingie vitu vingine vyenye kudhuru. Utility Partners of America inatambua nini inachukua kuwa teknolojia ya huduma kama mtu ambaye ameshirikiana na makampuni ya huduma na ushirikiano wa nishati kwa miongo kadhaa, tunaelewa na kuthamini jinsi maisha ni kama kwa ajili ya teknolojia yako. Hiyo ndiyo sababu sisi kusaidia makampuni kama yako na elimu, michakato, na ushirikiano kwamba kufanya maisha yao rahisi. Kama una nia ya kujifunza zaidi kuhusu jinsi tunaweza kukusaidia, wasiliana nasi leo.