Tetanus, commonly called lockjaw, is a bacterial disease that affects the nervous system. It occurs more often in older people and in agricultural workers where contact with animal manure is more likely and immunization is inadequate.
Complications involve the respiratory muscles causing interference with breathing.
Fractures of the spine or long bones, hypertension, abnormal heartbeats, coma, generalized infection, clotting in the blood vessels of the lung, and pneumonia can occur. One out of every two people with tetanus will die from it. The incubation period is usually 10 days but may range from three days to three weeks. Shorter incubation periods are associated with wounds that are heavily contaminated with tetanus bacteria. Recovery from tetanus may not result in immunity.