Glossary for Tetanus

Abrasion: An area of skin or mucous membrane that has been scraped
Animal bite: The physical bite from any animal
Asphyxia: Inability to breath and suffocation
Bacillaceae Infections: Infection with bacteria from the Bacillaceae family. Bacillaceae infection can cause a variety of diseases depending on the specific bacteria involved e.g. anthrax, tetanus, botulism.
Bacterial diseases: Diseases caused by a bacterial infection
Broken jaw: Fracture of the jaw bone (mandible)
Burns: Injury from burns and scalds.
Cephalic tetanus: Rare severe form of tetanus of the brain and head.
Death: The cessation of life
Dental abscess: Abscess of tooth, gum, or jawbone
Human bite: Bite from a human
Hypocalcemia: Low levels of calcium in the blood
Hysteria: Psychological disorder causing physical symptoms
Laceration: refers to a sharp injury which damages the dermis of the skin
Meningitis: Dangerous infection of the membranes surrounding the brain.
Muscle spasm: A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ, or a similarly sudden contraction of an orifice.
Muscle spasms: Involuntary movement or contraction of muscles without full control
Muscle symptoms: Symptoms affecting the muscles of the body
Muscle twitch: Small muscle spasms
Neonatal tetanus: Muscle tetanus of the very young infant
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A severe, potentially fatal reaction to antipsychotic drugs.
Peritonsillar abscess: also known as quinsy
Prostration: Extreme exhaustion and fatigue.
Rabies: An infectious disease that can affect any mammal including humans and is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. The infectious agent is the Neurotropic lyssavirus which affects the salivary gland and also causes neurological symptoms.
Risus sardonicus: sustained abnormal spasm of the facial muscles
Strychnine poisoning: Excessive ingestion of strychnine.
Tetanus: A disease caused by chemicals which are produced by a bacterium (clostridium tetani) and are toxic to the nerves. The infection usually occurs when the bacteria enter the body through a deep wound - these bacteria are anaerobic and hence don't need oxygen to survive.
Tetany: Sensation changes and muscle symptoms from low blood calcium
Trismus: Inability to open the jaw.
Tungiasis: A skin disease caused by a parasitic sand flea called Tunga penetrans which is found in the tropical parts of Africa. The female flea burrows into the skin (usually the feet) and causes localized itching and then pain. Usually the condition resolves itself but severe infestation can cause deformity and there is a risk of secondary infection and tetanus.
Ulcer: A local defect in the mucosa
Vaccine-preventable diseases: Any disease that can be prevented by the administration of a vaccine