Tetanus is an acute, potentially deadly systemic infection characterized by painful involuntary contraction of skeletal muscles.

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Tetanus is an acute, potentially deadly systemic infection characterized by painful involuntary contraction of skeletal muscles. The patient is extremely febrile (temperature >101° F), is irritable, and sweats profusely. He or she has a stiff neck, a tight jaw (lockjaw), spasms of the facial muscles, and difficulty swallowing. As the infection progresses, the muscles of the back and abdomen become rigid, with generalized convulsive muscle spasm (opisthotonos). These tonic spasms may cause death from asphyxiation.

Tetanus Is an Acute, Potentially Deadly Systemic Infection Characterized by Painful