Definition:
Lockjaw, also known as tetanus, is a serious bacterial disease that leads to stiffness of the jaw muscles and other muscles. It can cause severe muscle spasms, make breathing difficult and, ultimately, threaten one's life.
Diagnosis:
Doctors can diagnose tetanus based on a physical exam and the signs and symptoms of muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. Laboratory tests typically aren't helpful for diagnosing tetanus.
Treatment:
Treatment can include use of a tetanus antitoxin, such as tetanus immune globulin (TIG). However, the antitoxin can neutralize only toxin that hasn't combined yet with nerve tissue. The doctor may also give antibiotics, either orally or by injection, to fight tetanus bacteria. The patient may also need to receive a tetanus vaccine in order to prevent future tetanus infection.
Symptoms and Signs:
Signs and symptoms of tetanus may include: stiffness of the jaw, neck and other muscles; muscular irritability; spasms of the jaw, neck and other muscles; and fever.
Causes:
The bacteria that cause tetanus, Clostridium tetani, can be found in soil, dust and animal feces. When they enter a deep flesh wound, spores of the bacteria may give out a powerful toxin, tetanospasmin, which acts on various areas of the nervous system. The effect of the toxin on the nerves can cause muscle stiffness and spasms — the major signs of tetanus.
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