Tetanus, or lockjaw, is a bacterial infection that is characterized by painful muscle spasms, serious complications, and can lead to eventual death. Tetanus is not transmitted from person-to-person. A person usually becomes infected with tetanus when dirt enters a wound or cut.
Tetanus germs are likely to grow in deep puncture wounds caused by dirty nails, knives, tools, wood splinters, and animal bites. The disease is caused by a potent neurotoxin that is produced by the bacteria in the absence of oxygen.
People of all ages can get tetanus but it can be prevented by the administration of tetanus toxoid, which induces specific antitoxins. To prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus, tetanus toxoid needs to be given to the mother before or during pregnancy, and clean delivery and cord care needs to be ensured.
The disease is particularly common and serious in newborn babies. This is called neonatal tetanus and most infants die who get the disease. Neonatal tetanus is particularly common in rural areas where most deliveries are at home without adequate sterile procedures.
People who recover from tetanus do not have natural immunity and can be infected again and therefore need to be immunized.