Question 1

is clostridium tetani the scientific name for tetanus?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Clostridium tetani is the name for the bacteria that causes tetanus. More details on tetanus can be found here:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/229594-overview#showall

Question 2

i just cut myself on some rusty metal, should i be ok?  how rare is tetanus in the u.s.?

Accepted Answer

Tetanus: Tetanus shot if not had one, and ofcourse cleansing the wound.

Question 3

s it possible for tetanus to show symptoms 1 month after been cut by a dirty blade ? i can't move my neck , not sure if it's my gym or tetanus ?

Accepted Answer

Prevent tetanus : It's unlikely u have tetanus a month after a contaminated injury. Most cases occur about a week or 10 days from the injury. Certain wounds are more likely than others to lead to tetanus-what's necessary is for the organisms to grow and produce toxin. Deep wounds, crush injuries, dirt contamination etc are risks. Would make sure your vaccines are up to date- tetanus is an awful disease. Hope u c MD

Question 4

how does tetanus spread?

Accepted Answer

Dirty wound: Tetanus spores exist in the dirt worldwide. A wound in dirty skin or touched by contaminate fingers can transfer spores to the wound that then germinate. The germs produce a toxin as they grow that gets in the blood to produce tetanus. Tetanus is not spread person to person.

Question 5

does tetanus  have a vector?

Accepted Answer

Dirt: The vector is dirt that contaminates a wound.

Question 6

how do i know if i have tetanus?

Accepted Answer

You will be Sick: Tetanus is a serious infection and you will have symptoms of the disease
Symptoms
Muscle rigidity
Trismus or locked jaw 
Difficulty Swallowing
Muscle spasms
Breathing Dificulty in severe cases

Question 7

should i be worried about tetanus?

Accepted Answer

Tetanus: You shouldn't worry, especially if you've had your tetanus boosters every 5-10 years.  If you haven't received it, get it for the tetanus coverage, but more importantly for pertussis (whooping cough) coverage.

Question 8

how difficult is it to catch tetanus?

Accepted Answer

It is everywhere: You can contract tetanus from a simple cut or scratch if you are not immunized.  Tetanus germs are in the soil everywhere and therefore in dust deposits.  The only reason that the infection is not more common is because most people in developed countries are immunized against tetanus.

Question 9

what to do if i was exposed to tetanus?

Accepted Answer

Tetanus exposure: If you have not had a tetanus booster in the last ten years, you should get one

Question 10

is it possible for me to get tetanus orally?

Accepted Answer

LESS POSSIBLE:: Tetanus: acquired through contaminated skin wound, traumatic injury,  penetrating wound inflicted by a dirty object: nail, splinter, fragment of glass, unsterile injection,  animal bites, abscesses (including dental), piercings, burns, intestinal surgery, gangrene, etc. But, a rare case may have no h/o trauma.

If someone ingest tetanus bacteria, they usually don't  get tetanus.

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Doctor answers about:

Scientific name of tetanus

A member asked:

Is clostridium tetani the scientific name for tetanus?

A member asked:

I just cut myself on some rusty metal, should i be ok? how rare is tetanus in the u.s.?

A member asked:

S it possible for tetanus to show symptoms 1 month after been cut by a dirty blade ? i can't move my neck , not sure if it's my gym or tetanus ?

A member asked:

How does tetanus spread?

A member asked:

Does tetanus have a vector?

A member asked:

How do i know if i have tetanus?

A member asked:

Should i be worried about tetanus?

A member asked:

How difficult is it to catch tetanus?

A member asked:

What to do if i was exposed to tetanus?

A member asked:

Is it possible for me to get tetanus orally?

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