How can tetanus be spread

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Minus Related Pages. When should I call my healthcare provider? Key points about tetanus Tetanus is an acute, sometimes fatal, disease of the central nervous system, caused by the toxin of the bacterium clostridium tetani.

The bacterium clostridium tetani usually enters the body through an open wound. It can also be found in the human intestine and other places. Symptoms of tetanus may include stiffness of the jaw, abdominal, and back muscles, fast pulse, fever, sweating, painful muscle spasms and difficulty swallowing. The tetanus vaccine can reduce the risk of the disease after an injury. Tetanus requires immediate medical attention and treatment with medications and tetanus antitoxin injections.

Next steps Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider: Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen. Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you. At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you. Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Progression of tetanus results in repeated painful, seizure-like spasms that last for several minutes generalized spasms. Usually, the neck and back arch, the legs become rigid, the arms are drawn up to the body, and the fists are clenched.

Muscle rigidity in the neck and abdomen may cause breathing difficulties. These severe spasms may be triggered by minor events that stimulate the senses — a loud sound, a physical touch, a draft or light.

This uncommon form of tetanus results in muscles spasms near the site of a wound. While it's usually a less severe form of disease, it can progress to generalized tetanus.

This rare form of tetanus results from a head wound. It results in weakened muscles in the face and spasms of the jaw muscles. It also can progress to generalized tetanus. Tetanus is a life-threatening disease. If you have signs or symptoms of tetanus, seek emergency care.

If you have a simple, clean wound — and you've had a tetanus shot within 10 years — you can care for your wound at home. The bacterium that causes tetanus is called Clostridium tetani. The bacterium can survive in a dormant state in soil and animal feces. It's essentially shut down until it discovers a place to thrive. When the dormant bacteria enter a wound — a condition good for growth — the cells are "awakened.

The toxin impairs the nerves in the body that control muscles. The greatest risk factor for tetanus infection is not being vaccinated or not keeping up with the year booster shots.