DISEASES
- Clostridium tetani produces a toxin called tetanospasmin which causes the disease tetanus.
- The word tetanus is derived from the Greek term "tetanos" which means to contract.
May occur after:
- surgery
- burns
- animal bites
- ear and dental infections
- pregnancy
- puncture wounds
- Puncture wound examples: splinters, body piercings, tattoos, and injection drugs
- Commonly known as "lockjaw" because the first main symptom is a muscle spasm of the jaw causing the mouth to remain tightly closed.
- The muscle spasms and contractions can progress throughout the body and are extremely painful and can be triggered by the smallest stimuli.
- The affected person will arch their back during the muscle spasms in a distinctive posture called opisthotonos.
- The spasms and contractions can be powerful enough to break bones, dislocate joints, and interfere with breathing.