Tetanus

Tetanus is a disease that leads to muscle contractions that stay that way for some time.

Infection generally occurs through wound contamination, and often involves a cut or deep puncture wound. The primary symptoms are caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani. As the infection goes on, muscle spasms develop in the jaw. This led to the common name of the condition, lockjaw. This is usually followed by difficulties with swallowing. The condition leads to general muscle stiffness and spasms in other parts of the body.Infection can be prevented by proper immunization and by post-exposure prophylaxis.

Treatment for Tetanus

Antibiotics
Bedrest with a calm environment (dim light, reduced noise, and stable temperature)
Medicine to reverse the poison (tetanus immune globulin)
Muscle relaxers, such as diazepam
Sedatives
Surgery to clean the wound and remove the source of the poison (debridement)
Breathing support with oxygen, a breathing tube, and a breathing machine may be necessary.
The biggest threat is to breathing. People who get tetanus usually have mechanically assisted ventilation through a breathing tube. This may involve a tracheostomy, which is a tube inserted directly through a hole cut in the throat.

Because people with tetanus may not be able to swallow, they are usually given nourishment either intravenously or through a nasogastric (NG) tube, which is inserted through the nose, past the throat, and into the stomach. A catheter (tube) may also be inserted in the bladder to drain it.