Tetanus

Childhood Skin Problems Slideshow

• Tetanus Overview
• Tetanus Causes
• Tetanus Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Tetanus Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related tetanus articles:
  Tetanus - on WebMD
  Tetanus - on MedicineNet

Tetanus Overview

Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by contamination of wounds from bacteria that live in the soil. The bacterium Clostridium tetani is a hardy organism capable of living many years in the soil in a form called a spore.

Tetanus occurs when a wound becomes contaminated with bacterial spores. Infection follows when spores become active, multiply, and produce a very powerful poison that affects the muscles. Tetanus spores are found throughout the environment, usually in soil, dust, and animal waste. The favorite locations for the bacteria to enter your body are puncture wounds, such as those caused by nails, splinters, or insect bites. Burns, any break in the skin, and IV drug sites are also potential entryways for the bacteria.

Tetanus results in severe, uncontrollable muscle spasms. The jaw is "locked" by muscle spasms, causing the disease to sometimes be called "lockjaw." In severe cases, the muscles you use to breathe can spasm, causing a lack of oxygen to your brain and other organs and possibly death.

The disease in humans is the result of infection of a wound with the spores of the bacteria Clostridium tetani. These bacteria produce the toxin (poison), tetanospasmin, which is responsible for causing tetanus. This poison affects the place where nerves and muscles meet. It increases or intensifies the chemical signal from the nerve to the muscle, causing the muscle to tighten up in a huge continuous contraction or spasm.

In the United States, because of widespread immunization and careful wound care, the annual number of cases among children is between 50-100 cases. In developing countries of Africa, Asia, and South America, tetanus is far more common. The annual worldwide incidence is between 300,000-500,000 cases.

• The disease can show 4 possible types:
  
  
  • Generalized tetanus can affect all skeletal muscles. It is the most common as well as the most severe form of the 4 types.
    
    
  • Local tetanus manifests with muscle spasms at or near the wound that has been infected with the bacteria.
    
    
  • Cephalic tetanus primarily affects 1 or several muscles in the face. No muscles elsewhere are involved, unless the disease progresses to generalized tetanus.
    
    
  • Neonatal tetanus is similar to generalized tetanus except that it affects a baby that is less than 1 month old (called a neonate). This condition is rare in developed countries.