Tetanus

One can only get tetanus from rusting objects.

Tetanus, or lockjaw, is an acute and often deadly disease that attacks the human nervous system. It is characterized by sever spasms of the voluntary muscles and convulsions. The symptoms are caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium tetani, an anaerobic bacterium that can infect deep wounds where oxygen is unavailable. They symptoms start to appear about five to ten days after the toxin invades the body. The most frequently occurring symptom is jay stiffness, which progresses to difficulty in opening the jaws. Other symptoms include difficulty in swallowing, limb stiffness, fever, headache, and sore throat. Convulsions and death may follow.

Infected patients must be given immediate medical attention to prevent complications. As preventive measures, children must be routinely immunized by vaccination with a toxoid called DTP. DTP stands for diphtheria, tetanus and perussis.

Since Clostridium tetani is an anaerobic bacterium, it obtains all the energy it needs from food without the use of oxygen by a method called fermentation. The spores of Clostridium tetani can be found in soil and animal feces. The possibility of getting tetanus fro rusting objects is very remote. To avoid being infected wounds, especially those on the lower extremes, must be regularly cleansed and properly covered.

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