Tetanus or lockjaw is a serious disease that can happen if dirt with the tetanus germ gets into a cut in the skin. Tetanus germs are found everywhere, usually in soil, dust, manure. It does not spread from person to person. Tetanus causes cramping of the muscles in the neck, arms, leg and stomach, and painful convulsions which can be severe enough to break bones. Even with early treatment, tetanus kills 2 out of every 10 people who get it.
Diphtheria is a serious disease of the nose, throat and skin.
It causes sore throat, fever and chills. It can be complicated by breathing problems, heart failure and nerve damage. Diphtheria kills 1 out of every 10 people who get the disease. It is passed to others through coughing and sneezing. Polio is a dangerous disease that people can get from drinking water or eating food with the polio germ in it.