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       # Tetanus (lockjaw)
       
       ## About tetanus
       
       Tetanus is a deadly infection that gets into a wound or the umbilical
       cord, and then spreads throughout the body.
       
 (IMG) Tetanus
       
       Signs of tetanus most often appear 7 to 10 days after an injury.  But
       signs can also start as soon as 3 days after being infected or not
       appear until 2 or 3 weeks later.
       
       ## Signs
       
       * Tense and painful contractions of all the muscles.
       * During contractions, breathing may stop.
       * Extreme muscle spasms that come and go.
       * Lockjaw (cannot open the mouth easily).
       * Stiff neck and a stiff, board-hard belly.
       
       Get medical help fast for these signs!
       
       ## Prevention
       
       Tetanus is much easier to prevent than to treat.  Prevent by
       vaccinating all children against tetanus and carefully cleaning
       wounds so they do not get infected.  Children need 3 doses of the
       tetanus vaccine as infants and then 3 booster vaccines later.
       Pregnant women need a tetanus vaccination unless they have had one
       recently.
       
       ## Wounds most likely to develop tetanus
       
       * Puncture wounds.
       * Gunshot wounds.
       * Broken bones, when the bone pokes through the skin (open
         fractures).
       * Severe burns or frostbite.
       * Unsafe abortions and injections or piercings with used needles
         can also lead to tetanus.
       
 (IMG) Puncture wounds
 (IMG) Broken bones
 (IMG) Piercings
       
       Serious, deep or dirty wounds need special cleaning, care, and
       antibiotics.  Unless the person had a tetanus vaccine within the past
       5 years, they need one now and also an injection of antitetanus
       immunoglobulin.
       
 (DIR) deep wounds
 (DIR) tetanus meds
       
       ## Newborn tetanus
       
       Newborns can get infected with tetanus through the umbilical cord if
       the mother does not have up-to-date tetanus vaccinations.  Cutting
       the cord with a sterile blade and keeping the cord clean protect
       babies from tetanus at birth.
       
 (DIR) tetanus meds
       
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