Tetanus

Marissa Meyers & Doug Janke Hey Doug, if you find any other information feel free to add some in.

**Tetanus,** also known as **lockjaw**, is an infection in the nervous system caused by the bacteria //Clostridium Tetani////.// This disease lives in soil all around the world. The infection begins when the spore enters the body through an injury or a wound. It then releases a bacteria/toxin called Tetanospasmin. The toxin blocks nerve singals to the spinal cord, since the spinal cord controls muscle movments this causes a severe muscle spasm. The muscle spasms can get so powerful that they can tear muscles or fracture the spine. **Symtoms** of this infection are mild spasms in the jaw muscle, the neck and back causing arching, also called //Opisthotonos,// the chest area, abdominal muscles, drooling, constant sweating, hand and foot spasms, fevers and swallowing difficulties. **Treatments** for this infection include antibiotics like Penicillin, Clindamycin, Erythromycin and Metronidazole. Other treatments include bedresting with dim lights, reduced noise, and a stable tempeture. **A complication** for this infection is heart failure. To prevent this disease, first the individual should go through the DTaP series of shots. DTaP stands for Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis. These are all diseases that are simillar to Tetanus. Second, Td vaccine or Tdap vaccine this may cause mild effects of body aches, chills, fevers, headache, Nausea, vomiting, diarreha, rashes and soreness in, around, or by the injection site.
 * First shot- age 2 months
 * Second shot- age 4 months
 * Third shot- age 6 months
 * Fourth shot- age 15 to 18 months

**Things to know** are dirt and rusty nails may be a high risk of Tetanus. Tetanus symtoms may take 5 days to 15 weeks to first occur. Worldwide about 800,000 children die each year from Tetanus.

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