[Management and new current French recommendations for tetanus care].

Abstract

Tetanus is an acute severe disease induced by an exotoxin, often lethal. All cases occur in untreated or inadequately vaccinated patients and mainly in elderly patients who accumulate many risk factors. The current management of wounds faced difficulties in the assessment of immunization status and wound risks status. Indeed, all injuries can potentially lead to tetanus. Minor risks and chronic wounds are mainly found as tetanus cause. Vaccination remains the key element in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with tetanus. It is estimated that the vaccine's coverage is fairly good, but decreases with age. To improve tetanus prevention, new vaccine recommendations have been established which recommend vaccine's injections at fixed age, but their impact seems to be limited especially in the elderly. The immunochromatographic tests have demonstrated cost-effectiveness in the Emergency department settings. They are currently not available outside hospital while general practionners also face a significant risk. Effectiveness of these tests should be studied in outpatients population including cost-effectiveness.

• Authors: Dominique Nicolai, Anaïs Farcet, Catherine Molines, Géraldine Delalande, Frédérique Retornaz
• Journal: Geriatrie et psychologie neuropsychiatrie du vieillissement (Geriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil) Vol. 13 Issue 2 Pg. 141-6 (Jun 2015) ISSN: 2115-7863 [Electronic] France
• Vernacular Title: Actualités et nouvelles recommandations françaises dans la prise en charge du tétanos.
• PMID: 26103105 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Tetanus Toxoid

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Emergency Medical Services (methods)
• Female
• France
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Tetanus (economics, prevention & control, therapy)
• Tetanus Toxoid (administration & dosage)
• Vaccination
• Wounds and Injuries (complications, therapy)