tetanus
Sign in to saveTetanus (), also known as lockjaw, is a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani and characterized by muscle spasms. In the most common type, the spasms begin in the jaw and then progress to the rest of the body. Each spasm usually lasts for a few minutes. Spasms occur frequently for three to four weeks. Some spasms may be severe enough to fracture bones. Other symptoms of tetanus may include fever, sweating, headache, trouble swallowing, high blood pressure, and a fast heart rate. The onset of symptoms is typically 3 to 21 days following infection. Recovery may take months; about 10%
AI overview
Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms, often starting in the jaw and spreading throughout the body, with symptoms typically appearing 3 to 21 days after infection. The condition matters because the spasms can be severe enough to break bones and last for weeks, making recovery a lengthy process that requires medical attention.
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Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- Tetanus
- Medical condition (new).synonyms
- Lockjaw
- Medical condition (new).image
- Opisthotonus_in_a_patient_suffering_from_tetanus_-_Painting_by_Sir_Charles_Bell_-_1809.jpg
- Medical condition (new).caption
- Muscle spasms (specifically opisthotonos) in a person with tetanus. Painting by Sir Charles Bell, 1809.
- Medical condition (new).field
- Infectious disease, neurology, critical care medicine
- Medical condition (new).symptoms
- fever, cramped-up jaw, muscle spasms, headache, seizures, sweating, and trouble swallowing
- Medical condition (new).onset
- 3–21 days following exposure
- Medical condition (new).duration
- Months
- Medical condition (new).causes
- Clostridium tetani
- Medical condition (new).risks
- Break in the skin, being unvaccinated
- Medical condition (new).diagnosis
Article
26 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- Incubation period
- Generalized tetanus
- Neonatal tetanus
- Local tetanus
- Cephalic tetanus
- Cause
- Pathophysiology
- Neurospecific binding
- Internalization
- Membrane translocation
- Enzymatic target cleavage
- Diagnosis
- Prevention
- Post-exposure prophylaxis
- Treatment
- Mild tetanus
- Severe tetanus
- Epidemiology
- Other animals
- History
- Etymology
- Research
- See also
- References
- External links
Tetanus (), also known as lockjaw, is a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani and characterized by muscle spasms. In the most common type, the spasms begin in the jaw and then progress to the rest of the body. Each spasm usually lasts for a few minutes. Spasms occur frequently for three to four weeks. Some spasms may be severe enough to fracture bones. Other symptoms of tetanus may include fever, sweating, headache, trouble swallowing, high blood pressure, and a fast heart rate. The onset of symptoms is typically 3 to 21 days following infection. Recovery may take months; about 10% of cases prove to be fatal.
C. tetani is commonly found in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. The bacteria generally enter through a break in the skin, such as a cut or puncture wound caused by a contaminated object. They produce toxins that interfere with normal muscle contractions. Diagnosis is based on the presenting signs and symptoms. The disease does not spread between people.