Tetanus is a disease that results from infection by Clostridium tetani bacteria. These bacteria produce the toxin tetanospasmin, which interferes with the ability of the nervous system to communicate with muscles. This often results in uncontrollable muscle contractions, or spasms, that can cause pain, fracture bones and inhibit breathing. Tetanus can be deadly if not treated quickly.

The tetanus bacteria can only survive in limited environments. They require an absence of oxygen and are highly sensitive to heat. To survive outside these conditions, they release dormant spores that are resistant to heat and can exist in soil and animal feces for decades. Infection results when the spores enter the body through an injury or open wound. They may become active, begin to multiply and produce toxin that is circulated throughout the body via the blood.

Tetanus is often diagnosed based on the occurrence of certain symptoms in conjunction with a recent injury. The disease is often first marked by jaw spasms and difficulty opening the mouth (lockjaw or trismus). Later indicators include difficulty swallowing and breathing, muscle stiffness or pain, muscle spasms elsewhere in the body and rigid abdominal muscles.

Patients diagnosed with tetanus typically require hospitalization for treatment. This begins with steps to prevent further toxin production through wound management. Antibiotics are used to kill the responsible bacteria. The tetanus toxins may or may not affect nerve endings. Medication is used to inactivate toxin particles that have not attached to nerve endings. Toxin that is attached to nerve endings will continue to cause spasms until the nerve endings regenerate, which can take four to six weeks. Meanwhile, patients may require sedatives and mechanical ventilation. Developing tetanus does not make a person immune to it in the future. Patients will need to be immunized to prevent further occurrences of the disease.