tetanus Definition
- 1a serious bacterial disease that affects the nervous system and causes painful muscle contractions, especially of the jaw and neck muscles
- 2an acute infectious disease caused by the toxin-producing bacterium Clostridium tetani, characterized by rigidity and spasms of the voluntary muscles
Using tetanus: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "tetanus" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Tetanus can be prevented by vaccination.
Example
The wound was so deep that he had to get a tetanus shot.
Example
Symptoms of tetanus include muscle stiffness and spasms.
Example
Untreated tetanus can lead to respiratory failure and death.
tetanus Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with tetanus
a form of tetanus that occurs in newborns, usually as a result of unhygienic umbilical cord care
Example
Neonatal tetanus is a major cause of infant mortality in developing countries.
Example
If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years, you should get one.
a modified form of the tetanus toxin that is used in vaccines to stimulate an immune response without causing disease
Example
Tetanus toxoid is a key component of the DTaP vaccine.
Origins of tetanus
from Greek 'tetanos', meaning 'stiff'
Summary: tetanus in Brief
Tetanus [ˈtɛtənəs] is a serious bacterial disease that causes painful muscle contractions, especially of the jaw and neck muscles. It is caused by the toxin-producing bacterium Clostridium tetani and can be prevented by vaccination. Symptoms include muscle stiffness and spasms, and untreated tetanus can lead to respiratory failure and death.
