Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Tetanus

Tetanus is a serious infection of the nervous system caused by the germ Clostridium tetani, which is usually found in cultivated soil and manure.

Clostridium tetani forms tough spores that can survive for many years.  If these spores get into a deep wound, they can germinate.  Once this happens the germ produces a powerful poison called tetanospasmin toxin which damages the nervous system and can cause death.

Tetanus is commonly known as ‘lockjaw’ because of its characteristic symptoms which include tightening of the muscles in the face.

Today tetanus has been largely eliminated by immunisation, higher hygiene standards, better medical services and the mechanisation of farming. 

Tetanus is very rare in England although it is still a common cause of death in developing countries.

Modern methods of treatment have reduced the death rate from 60 per cent to about 20 per cent of those that become infected.  However, in the developing world death rates from the infection are still around 50%.

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