Tetanus

Tetanus, often called “lockjaw,” is a bacterial infection that causes serious painful muscle spasms and can lead to death. The tetanus shot or vaccine has made tetanus a preventable disease. Thanks to its widespread use, it has become very uncommon in the United States. Even so, many adults in the United States need to be vaccinated against tetanus infection because there’s no cure, and 15% to 22% of victims will die. You can’t get tetanus from another person. You can get it via a puncture or other wound. Tetanus bacteria are commonly present in manure, soil, and dust. The tetanus …

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Tetanus, also called Lockjaw, is a serious disease cause by a bacterial toxin called Clostridium tetani. It attacks the nervous system, leading to painful muscle contractions in the jaw and neck that make it difficult to breathe or swallow, and can prove fatal.  Spread Clostridium tetani is found in soil, dust, and in human and animal intestinal tracts.  The bacteria has spores that produce two different toxins. The first is called tetanolysin, which causes tissue destruction in localized areas. The other is tetanospasmin, which is what causes clinical tetanus.  The spores of the bacteria develop once they get into the …

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