Tetanus

Most people tend to associate tetanus with puncture wounds from rusty nails or other metal objects. The truth of the matter is, however, that you can get tetanus from other injuries, as well. Tetanus-causing bacteria reside in soil and are most commonly deposited into the body through a wound (typically a puncture wound). Once inside the warm, moist, and low-oxygen environment of the human body, these microorganisms thrive, reproduce, and create toxins that harm the victim.

Symptoms of Tetanus

Tetanus-causing bacteria typically remain in the body for an incubation period of anywhere from several days to several weeks. Once they begin to produce poisonous toxins, however, the victim will begin to feel the following symptoms:

• Muscle stiffness and spasms in the hands, feet, and jaw
• Uncontrollable drooling
• Abnormal amounts of sweating
• Fever
• Irritability
• Difficulty swallowing, urinating, or defecating
• Difficulty breathing

This illness is known to some as “lockjaw” because of the paralyzing effects it has on the victim’s muscles.

If tetanus goes untreated, the muscle spasms can become intense enough to cause muscle pulls and tears or bone dislocations and fractures. Without treatment, a victim can die from this condition. Even with treatment, one may not be able to survive the serious effects of a tetanus infection. Approximately 10% of all properly treated tetanus victims still pass away.

Contact Us

If you or someone you love has developed tetanus as the result of another party’s negligence, then you may have the right to recover damages. Austin personal injury lawyer Vic Feazell can help you take the legal action necessary to claim compensation. To speak with Vic about your options, contact his law offices today at 877-948-4842.