Tetanus is an infection that caused by a bacterium. The bacterium is known as Clostridium tetani. If the infection is not treated, it can prove to be fatal. Tetanus is also colloquially referred to as lockjaw as one of the first symptoms of the infection is a constriction of the jaw muscles.

Tetanus is an extremely painful infection where the body is wracked with spasms and constrictions of the voluntary muscles. In variably the muscles of the jaw and face suffer from spasms first followed by the muscles of the neck and back, and finally the spasms move downwards to the legs and abdomen.

The infection can be treated effectively if it is diagnosed in the early stages. Usually the doctor will make a confirmed diagnosis based on the findings that are typical of the disease. However, tissue culture could be performed of the wound or even a tetanus antibody test could be performed in order to get a confirmed diagnosis.

Treatment for tetanus requires hospitalization as the infection is quite severe in nature. The infected person will be treated with anti-bacterial drugs like penicillin in order to get rid of the bacteria. Usually this treatment will last for many weeks. Besides the antibiotics, the person will also be given doses of an antitoxin to negate the effect of the toxin released by the bacterium. In addition, as the symptoms of the infection include severe and painful spasms and constriction of the muscle, the person will be given medication like barbiturates or anti-anxiety drugs.

Usually the person is put on a ventilator as he or she will not be able to breathe independently. Also, the initial treatment involves injecting an immunoglobulin into the muscle to the person in case he or she has not received shots against tetanus. However, this only in cases where it is suspected that the person has been exposed to the bacterium. Thereafter, the person will be advised ample rest. Once the person has recovered, he or she will be immunized against tetanus.

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