Tetanus, otherwise known as lockjaw, is a potentially fatal disease that is caused by the bacteria Clostridium tetani. When this organism gets under the human skin, it causes many painful symptoms, ranging anywhere from headache to inability to breathe. Since tetanus is such a virulent and dangerous disease, it is important to take the proper precautions ahead of time.
How Might I Get Tetanus?
Tetanus tends to live in natural environments, such as soil, dust, or manure. It is common for someone to become infected with tetanus when he or she sustains a puncture wound, as from a nail or splinter. The bacteria like to enter the skin through some sort of break in it, such as a cut. Once it breeches the barrier of the body, the bacteria emerges from its spore form into its active state and begins to poison the muscles.
What are the Symptoms?
Tetanus has a wide range of symptoms that vary in severity, depending on the stage of infection. In the beginning stages, one would experience muscle stiffness and spasms, along with sweating and fever. If the infection continues to go untreated, the muscles spasms will increase in intensity, to the point where the affected individual might suffer a broken bone as a result. In the worst cases, the muscles of the chest are affected, and the individual can lose the ability to breathe. This will likely result in death.
Contact Us
If you have ever suffered from tetanus due to a puncture wound, the Minneapolis personal injury lawyers of Terry, Slane & Ruohonen can help. Please contact their law office at 612-362-0000 today to set up an appointment.
