(Lockjaw)

Generalized tetanus (lockjaw) is a neurologic disease manifesting as trismus and severe muscular spasms. Tetanus is caused by neurotoxin produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani in a contaminated wound. Onset is gradual, occurring over 1 to 7 days, and symptoms progress to severe generalized muscle spasms, which often are aggravated by any external stimulus. Severe spasms persist for 1 week or more and subside over several weeks in people who recover.

Neonatal tetanus is a form of generalized tetanus occurring in newborn infants lacking protective passive immunity because their mothers are not immune. Localized tetanus manifests as local muscle spasms in areas contiguous to a wound. Cephalic tetanus is a dysfunction of cranial nerves associated with infected wounds on the head and neck. Both of the latter conditions may precede generalized tetanus.