Tetanus, also called lockjaw, is a disease characterized by muscle spasms. At the most common form, the spasms start from the jaw and then progress to the remainder of the human body. These spasms usually persist for a couple of minutes every time and happen often for a few weeks. Spasms may be so acute that bone fractures might happen. Other symptoms could consist of fever, sweating, headache, trouble swallowing, high blood pressure, and a fast heart rate. Onset of symptoms is normally three to twenty days after infection. It might take weeks to recuperate. Approximately 10 percent of the infected die.

Tetanus is caused by an infection with the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is commonly found in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. The bacteria normally enter through a rest in the skin like a cut or puncture wound with a contaminated object. They create toxins that interfere with muscular contractions, leading to the normal symptoms. The disease doesn't spread between individuals.

Tetanus is a serious bacterial disease that affects your nervous system, leading to painful muscle contractions, particularly of your jaw and neck muscles. Tetanus can interfere with your ability to breathe and can threaten your life. Tetanus is commonly known as "lockjaw."

Thanks to the tetanus vaccine, cases of tetanus are rare in the United States and other parts of the developed world. However, the disease remains a threat to those who aren't up to date on their vaccinations, and is more common in developing countries.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of tetanus appear anytime from a few days to several weeks after tetanus bacteria enter your body through a wound. The average incubation period is seven to 10 days.

Common signs and symptoms of tetanus include:

Spasms and stiffness in your jaw muscles (trismus)
Stiffness of your neck muscles
Difficulty swallowing
Stiffness of your abdominal muscles
Painful body spasms lasting for several minutes, typically triggered by minor occurrences, such as a draft, loud noise, physical touch or light
Possible other signs and symptoms include:

Fever
Sweating
Elevated blood pressure
Rapid heart rate
Cause

Spores of the bacteria that cause tetanus, Clostridium tetani, can be present in dirt, dust and animal feces. When they enter a deep flesh wound, then spores grow into germs which may make a potent poison, tetanospasmin, which disrupts the nerves that control your muscles (motor nerves). The poison can lead to muscle stiffness and stiffness -- the significant indications of tetanus.

Most cases of tetanus occur in those who have never been vaccinated or adults that have not kept up with their 10-year booster shots. You can not grab tetanus from someone that has it.

Prevention

You can easily prevent tetanus by being immunized.

The primary vaccine series

The tetanus vaccine usually is given to children as part of the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine. This vaccination provides protection against three diseases: a throat and respiratory infection (diphtheria), whooping cough (pertussis) and tetanus.

The DTaP vaccine is a series of five shots, typically given in the arm or thigh to children at ages:

2 months
4 months
6 months
15 to 18 months
4 to 6 years


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