![\"\"](\"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Stiffness.jpg\")
Tetanus is a bacterial infection that attacks the central nervous system. IN the most sever cases, this can actually be fatal.<\/p>\nTetanus is a bacterial infection that attacks the central nervous system. IN the most sever cases, this can actually be fatal.<\/p>\n
This makes tetanus highly dangerous of course, but what makes it even more threatening is the fact that it is able to enter the body through the smallest of pin pricks. We often associate tetanus with dog bites but in fact it can be transmitted through a range of different things: it can come from rusty nails for instance, or it can come from actual pins or needles. Some people mistakenly believe that tetanus is caused by rust but the truth is that any rough surface can carry it: that\u2019s because tetanus is transmitted via endospores and these can hide in the grooves of such a material.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, there are immunizations against this serious condition. Tetanus shots are required for children before they start school and will take the form of five shots delivered between the ages 2-5. You\u2019ll then need an additional booster once every ten years.<\/p>\n
Haven\u2019t had your shot lately? Don\u2019t worry. If you\u2019ve just stepped on a nail, then you can make a visit, get your shot and you should be fine. That is why it\u2019s important to stay up to date but also to be able to recognize the symptoms so that you can act quickly when necessary.<\/p>\n
Here are the symptoms tom look out for:<\/p>\n
Stiffness is one of the early and most noticeable symptoms of tetanus<\/a>. This will very often affect the neck and the jaw in particular, though it might affect other muscles too.<\/p>\n There are many things that can cause stiffness in the neck and jaw of course \u2013 very commonly this is a result of sleeping uncomfortably. However, if you notice the symptoms appear after being pricked, stabbed or cut, then this is a serious warning sign and you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to be on the safe side.<\/p>\n Grinning might sound like a nice thing, but the official description is \u2018grotesque grinning\u2019. The condition has even been called \u2018the grinning death\u2019. Not so nice now!<\/p>\n This of course is a result of the stiffness and tightness<\/a> affecting the neck and jaw, so if your grin seems to be pulled across your face, then this is definitely a cause for alarm and you should seek a doctor as soon as possible for a shot.<\/p>\n As the muscles in this area tighten, you may well also experience spasms in the same area. This can be a somewhat disturbing sight for onlookers and can be highly uncomfortable for the sufferer too of course. Once again, there are other causes for all these symptoms: including cramps<\/a> and fits. However, if the condition is triggered by broken skin, it\u2019s something to consider.<\/p>\n As you lose control of the neck and jaw muscles (this is sometimes referred to as lockjaw), this can of course make it difficult to perform a number of normal tasks. Among these is swallowing and you might start finding it somewhat difficult to eat your food normally or to drink water. This of course can be very dangerous and inconvenient itself and it is another serious warning sign that you should visit a physician.<\/p>\n It can be useful to think of a dog with rabies<\/a> and how they look and behave. While the conditions are different, they often go together and they can affect the sufferer in some of the same ways.<\/p>\n Tetanus is also able to affect your mood and cause irritability<\/a> and poor temper. If you find yourself snapping at people or feeling generally angry, then this is another cause for concern.<\/p>\n In fact, this is generally something you should always be aware of. Many conditions can actually affect our behavior and impact on the brain \u2013 which remember is a part of the central nervous system. This is often one of the most concerning signs that something is wrong. So if someone you know isn\u2019t behaving like they normally do, or if you don\u2019t feel like yourself, then you should seek professional help immediately.<\/p>\n The central nervous system is what controls our movements and our behavior. Of course this is made up of the brain, the spine and the network of nerves that run through the body and connect our limbs to the motor cortices in our brains.<\/p>\n This is what allows us to plan a movement and then execute it. This is why damage to the CNS by tetanus can cause us to spasms<\/a> and feel unable to move normally around the face and jaw \u2013 but with time it can also travel further and affect other limbs and parts of the body. These can also tart spasming and jolting out of control, giving you the feeling of being out of control of your faculties.<\/p>\n All of these involuntary spasms both in the neck and jaw area and around the rest of the body can be painful when they happen. They can also have the additional alarming effect of making breathing and swallowing difficult \u2013 remember that you don\u2019t just have muscles<\/a> in your arms and legs but also controlling and surrounding many of your internal organs, including your heart and your lungs. This is what makes it so dangerous.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Grinning.jpg\")
2. Grinning<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Spasms.jpg\")
3. Spasms<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Difficulty-Swallowing.jpg\")
4. Difficulty Swallowing<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Irritability.jpg\")
5. Irritability<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Spasms-Elsewhere.jpg\")
6. Spasms Elsewhere<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Pain.jpg\")
7. Pain<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Rapid-Heart-Rate.jpg\")
8. Sweating and Rapid Heart Rate<\/h3>\n