Tetanus: The Hidden Danger for Your Baby
Welcoming a new addition to your family is one of life's most exciting yet nerve-wreaking moments. You are probably busy thinking about baby names, baby-proofing your home, taking prenatal vitamins. But what if I told you that there is a life-threatening disease as quietly waiting to attack baby, one you've likely never hear of? That disease is called Tetanus. While rare in a country with mandatory vaccination like Singapore, newborns who haven't yet to received their booster shot are still at risk. What Is Tetanus and How Is It Spread? Tetanus is a life-threatening disease caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani . These bacteria are persistent creatures and are commonly found in everyday environments such as dust, soil and even animal feces. They can survive in harsh conditions for years due to their ability to form a “spore” like outer shell and becomes active when they enter into your body via wound such as puncture wound or contaminated umbilical cord. Once ...