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February 9, 2012
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Tetanus (cont.)

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Tetanus Prognosis

  • Overall, about 25%-50% of people with generalized tetanus will die.
  • The disease is more serious when the symptoms come on quickly.
  • Older people and very young children tend to have more severe cases; those over 65 years are more likely to die from the infection
  • Intensive medical care improves the prognosis in severe cases.
  • Death is usually due to respiratory failure or disturbance of heart rhythm.
  • Data on worldwide neonatal deaths is not complete due to poor data collection in many countries; however, several investigators suggest mortality rates range from about 60%-80%.

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Tetanus - Symptoms

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What symptoms and signs did you experience with tetanus?

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Tetanus »

The word tetanus comes from the Greek tetanos, which is derived from the term teinein, meaning to stretch.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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