Diseases

Tetanus

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Tetanus an acute infectious bacterial disease characterized by tonic spasm of voluntary muscles especially of the jaw and caused by an exotoxin of a clostridium (clostridium tetani) which is usually introduced through a wound

SYMPTOMS

Spasms and stiffness in your jaw muscles (trismus)
Stiffness of your neck muscles
Difficulty swallowing
Stiffness of your abdominal muscles
Painful body spasms lasting for several minutes, typically triggered by minor occurrences, such as a draft, loud noise, physical touch or light
Fever
Sweating
Elevated blood pressure
Rapid heart rate

CAUSES

Spores of the bacteria that cause tetanus, clostridium tetani, are found in soil, dust and animal feces. When they enter a deep flesh wound, spores grow into bacteria that can produce a powerful toxin, tetanospasmin, which impairs the nerves that control your muscles (motor neurons). The toxin can cause muscle stiffness and spasms — the major signs of tetanus.