Tetanus, also called "lockjaw," is a serious and possibly fatal disease caused by toxins (poisons) produced by a type of bacteria present in manure, soil or dust. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), approximately 10 to 20 percent of cases are fatal. Symptoms usually appear seven days following infection; however, symptoms may appear as early as three days, and as late as three weeks after exposure to the bacteria. Tetanus is not contagious from person to person.
Lockjaw
As the alternative name for tetanus suggests, one very common symptom of tetanus is tightening of the muscles around the jaw, causing the jaw to remain tightly closed or "locked." Symptoms of tetanus often begin as mild spasms of muscles in the jaw, and these spasms may gradually get more severe, until the jaw becomes tightly locked. Other tetanus symptoms that affect the head and neck include stiffness and difficulty swallowing.
Difficulty Breathing
Difficulty breathing is a serious symptom of tetanus, according to the NFID and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NFID states that breathing problems are due to the tight muscle spasms in the head and neck. These painful muscle spasms, which lead to locking of the jaw and difficulty swallowing, may ultimately lead to death by suffocation. The patients who experience difficulty breathing often need oxygen administered by a ventilator and may be required to stay in the hospital for several weeks.
Muscle Spasms
According to the NIH, tetanus can cause extreme muscle spasms, not just in the jaw, but also all over the body. These muscle spasms are not only painful, they can result in further injury to the body. Information from the NFID describes how the toxin affects nerve signals from the spinal cord to the muscles, which results in severe spasms. According to the NFID, "spasms can be so powerful they tear the muscles or cause fractures of the spine." The Centers for Disease Control report that these spasms can last for several minutes, and spasms can occur frequently for three to four weeks following onset of the disease.
Once these symptoms have appeared, the treatment of tetanus may include multiple approaches, according to the NIH. For the treatment of muscle spasms, muscle-relaxing medications may be prescribed. Other treatments include sedatives, bed rest, and protecting the patient from external stimulation such as light and noise. The quiet and dim environment promotes relaxation, which can help relieve the severity of the muscle spasms.
