Tetanus quiz
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Learn more about Tetanus
Content updated on Jun 1, 2022
What is tetanus?
A life-threatening infection caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani. The bacteria releases toxins that affects the nervous system and cause muscles in the body to contract and "lock up". The bacteria are everywhere in the environment and enter the body through open wounds. Risk factors include being immunosuppressed, not being vaccinated against tetanus (or not keeping up with booster shots), as well as having open wounds or cuts.
Symptoms related to tetanus
Fever
Hands and legs became clumsy - I cannot do fine work with them
Difficulty pronouncing words
Difficulty in mouth opening
Weakness in arms or legs
Muscle pain
Difficulty swallowing food or water
Feeling breathless
Questions your doctor may ask to check for tetanus
Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose tetanus
Do you have a fever?
Do you feel that it is harder to move your limbs or that you are more clumsy recently?
Do you have difficulty pronouncing words properly?
Do you have difficulty opening your mouth?
Do you feel any weakness in your arms or legs?
Treatment for tetanus
Emergency medical treatment in a hospital is required. There is no cure - treatment is supportive. It involves wound care, removing dead tissue, administering antibiotics, antitoxins and antibodies by injection to help them to fight the infection. Vaccination is available to prevent tetanus infection.
View the symptoms of Tetanus
Fever
Hard to pronounce words
Hard to open mouth
Weakness in arms or legs
Muscle pain
Hard to swallow food or water
Feel breathless
Convulsions on the face
Loss of appetite
Insect or animal bites, scratches or stings
Sweating
Neck pain or stiffness
Drooling from one side of the mouth
Pain in the arms and/or legs
Diseases related to Tetanus
References
Rhinesmith E, Fu L. Tetanus Disease, Treatment, Management. Pediatr Rev. 2018 Aug;39(8):430-432. doi: 10.1542/pir.2017-0238. PMID: 30068747.
https://publications.aap.org/pediatricsinreview/article-abstract/39/8/430/31975/Tetanus-Disease-Treatment-Management?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Farrar JJ, Yen LM, Cook T, Fairweather N, Binh N, Parry J, Parry CM. Tetanus. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2000 Sep;69(3):292-301. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.69.3.292. PMID: 10945801; PMCID: PMC1737078.
https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/69/3/292
Finkelstein P, Teisch L, Allen CJ, Ruiz G. Tetanus: A Potential Public Health Threat in Times of Disaster. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017 Jun;32(3):339-342. doi: 10.1017/S1049023X17000012. Epub 2017 Feb 20. PMID: 28215195.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/prehospital-and-disaster-medicine/article/abs/tetanus-a-potential-public-health-threat-in-times-of-disaster/C9BE0EB0773BD8BF813FFBE81EAC5DC6
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Developed by doctors.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD
Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)
National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan