File:Opisthotonus_in_a_patient_suffering_from_tetanus_-_Painting_by_Sir_Charles_Bell_-_1809.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

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tetanus

Also known as clostridial tetanus, Infection due to Clostridium tetani, Lockjaw, Lock-Jaw, Trismus

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%

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.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

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: Based on symptoms
Medical condition (new).complications: Laryngospasm, respiratory failure, bone fractures
Medical condition (new).prevention: Tetanus vaccine
Medical condition (new).treatment: Tetanus immune globulin, muscle relaxants, mechanical ventilation
Medical condition (new).medication: diazepam and methocarbamol
Medical condition (new).frequency: 209,000 (2015)
Medical condition (new).deaths: 56,700 (2015)
Medical condition (new).prognosis: 6.4% risk of death

via Wikipedia infobox

Research

32,410 papers

[Tetanus].ReviewDuodecim; laaketieteellinen aikakauskirja · 1989Nieminen S
Tetanus vaccines: WHO position paper – February 2017.Releve epidemiologique hebdomadaire · 2017
Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids.ReviewBritish medical bulletin · 1969Smith JWDOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a070689
Tetanus.The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India · 1982Dastur FD, Awatramani P, Chitre SJ
Tetanus vaccine.Releve epidemiologique hebdomadaire · 2006
Tetanus.Annals of emergency medicine · 1984Lutkus ER, Hirsch AF, Wood JPDOI: 10.1016/s0196-0644(84)80610-1
Tetanus--United States, 1985-1986.MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report · 1987Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Tetanus in horses.The Veterinary record · 1970Brook DDOI: 10.1136/vr.87.22.700

via PubMed

Wikidata facts

Image: PHIL tetanus.jpg
Number of deaths: 38000

Show 8 more facts

Commons category: Tetanus
NCI Thesaurus ID: C85185
Commons gallery: Tetanus
ICPC 2 ID: N72
exact match: www.orpha.net/ORDO/Orphanet_3299
ICD-9-CM: 041.84
minimal incubation period in humans: 3
maximal incubation period in humans: 31

Sources (5)

via Wikidata · CC0

~23 min read

Article

26 sections

Contents

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

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.