Tetanus

Alternative names:

lockjaw

Symptoms:

• spasms and tightening of the jaw muscle (hence the name lockjaw)
• stiffening of the neck and other muscles
• spasms of the neck and other muscles
• rigidity of the chest muscles
• rigidity of the abdominal muscles (abdominal rigidity)
• spasms and rigidity of the back muscles, often causing arching (opisthotonos)
• tetanic seizures (painful, powerful bursts of muscle contraction)
• irritability
• fever

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• sweating, excessive
• swallowing difficulty
• hand or foot spasms
• drooling
• uncontrolled urination
• uncontrolled defecation

Signs and tests:

Diagnosis of tetanus is based on the history and physical findings that are characteristic of the disease. Diagnostic studies generally are of little value. Cultures of the wound site are negative for clostridia two-thirds of the time. When the culture is positive it is diagnostic.

Tests that may sometimes be performed include:

• culture of the wound site
• tetanus antibody test
• other tests to rule-out meningitis, rabies, strychnine poisoning or other diseases with similar symptoms