Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection. The bacteria could infect any cut, burn, or skin puncture. Commonly known as “lockjaw,” tetanus causes painful muscle spasms in the jaw, neck, and stomach area, as well as other serious symptoms. If left untreated, tetanus can be fatal. Fortunately, several vaccines protect people of all age groups against this infectious disease.
“Step on a dirty nail or needle, suffer a burn or crush injury, or simply have a wound that is contaminated with dirt, feces, or spit, and you have a recipe for disaster,” says Tyler, Texas family physician and Texas Medical Association (TMA) physician leader Li-Yu Mitchell, MD.
This release is part of a monthly TMA series highlighting contagious diseases that childhood and adult vaccinations can prevent. Some diseases covered thus far include Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Whooping Cough, Rotavirus and Polio.