Lockjaw, also called tetanus, is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. One of the symptoms of lockjaw is a tightening of the jaw muscles, which can gradually cause the jaw to be difficult to manipulate, affecting speech and swallowing. Untreated, lockjaw can cause death, though this is fairly infrequent due to vaccinations for tetanus, and the practice of re-inoculating people with cuts from old fences or dirty metal objects.

Lockjaw was thought to be caused by cuts obtained around horses, which are frequent victims of tetanus. Actually, Clostridium tetani lives abundantly in soil all over the world. It can survive for about 40 years, so infection is certainly possible as a result of a cut from an old nail.

Incidence of lockjaw is most frequent in third world countries where inoculations are not routine. In fact, newborns make up about half the population of those affected in countries that are unable to adhere to standards of cleanliness or who cannot afford the cost of universal vaccination. The leading cause of exposure to tetanus in these countries is lack of proper care of the umbilical cord stump, which becomes infected with Clostridium tetani.

Lockjaw, when untreated, has an approximate 30% death rate for adults and 60% for infants, a very significant figure. Lockjaw is so deadly because the causal bacterium is a neurotoxin. As the disease progress, not only the jaw, but also all the facial muscles become stiffened. The back, stomach, and lower body may also be affected, creating a stiff but still painful paralysis. A side effect of the illness is violent seizures or muscle spasms, called tetany. The disease is extremely painful, particularly for those experiencing tetany.

Immunizations for lockjaw tend to last about ten years. If you suffer a deep cut or puncture wound, and haven’t had a recent immunization, it is a good idea to get to the doctor. In almost all cases, an immunization given even after exposure will stop the disease. As well, observing clean or sterile wound care can reduce risk of any infections that might become serious.