[Tetanus --observations in the I Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Silesian Medical Academy in Bytom in the years 1988-1992].

Fifteen patients with tetanus were treated in the I Clinic of Infectious Diseases in Bytom in the period 1988-1992; the clinical and epidemiologic analysis was carried out of them. Severe tetanus occurred in 66% of patients and 46% of them needed mechanical ventilation. The percentage of mortality was high (46.7%). It was found that the information about tetanus was inadequate among health service personnel (physicians) and the population. Attention is called to inadequate knowledge of tetanus prophylaxis in the first line of patient's contact with the health service, which increases the risk of tetanus development. For reducing the incidence of tetanus and for improvement the efficacy of treatment this disease the authors suggest the need of adequate tetanus prophylaxis (passive and/or active immunization) in high risk injured patients.