Tetanus

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tetanus is a disease that leads to muscle contractions that hold on for some time.

Infection generally is caused through wound contamination, and often involves a cut or deep puncture wound. The primary symptoms are caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani. As the infection goes on, muscle spasms develop in the jaw. Therefore there is the common name, lockjaw. Then is difficulties with swallowing follow and lead to general muscle stiffness and spasms in other parts of the body.[1] Infection can be prevented by proper immunization and by post-exposure prophylaxis.[2]

For treatment and more see: Tetanus treatment

[edit] References

  1. Wells CL, Wilkins TD (1996). Clostridia: Sporeforming Anaerobic Bacilli. In: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al, eds.), 4th ed., Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.
  2. Tetanus. CDC Pink Book. Retrieved on 2007-01-26.

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