This site is intended for healthcare professionals

CPD
CPD
Pro
Pro
account_circleSign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Classification of tetanus

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

There are four different forms of tetanus:

  • localised
    • rare and relatively milder form of disease
    • spasm and rigidity are restricted to the site of injury
    • in some, may precede generalised tetanus
  • cephalic
    • occurs secondary to a middle ear infection or from a injury to the head and neck
    • cranial nerve palsies (especially the seventh nerve) is characteristic
    • may develop in to a generalised disease
    • prognosis is poor (1)
  • generalized
    • most common type and is responsible for around 80% of patients
    • there is haematogenous spread of the toxin
    • head and neck muscles are affected first with progressive distal spread of spasm and rigidity throughout the body
  • neonatal
    • is responsible for over 50% of deaths associated with tetanus
    • caused by poor umbilical hygiene and is entirely preventable by maternal vaccination
    • symptoms like failure to thrive, poor sucking, grimacing and irritability is seen at first quickly followed by intense rigidity and spasms and is usually seen from 4 to 14 days after birth (average around 7 days) (2)
    • is completely eliminated from the UK (1)

References:

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.