Tetanus (lockjaw)
Description of the disease
Symptoms
Tetanus is a life-threatening nervous system disease characterized by tonic muscle spasms, rigidity, difficulty breathing, inability to swallow, “locked” jaw due to severe muscle spasm, and pathologically increased reflexes. The disease is caused by the toxin produced by Clostridium tetani. Vaccination after injury is essential for disease prevention.
Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology