Tetanus physical examination
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Michael Maddaleni, B.S.
Overview
The diagnosis of Tetanus is completed through a physical examination. Tetanus infection produces some very clear symptoms that will be used for a clinical diagnosis.
Physical Exam
Some of the first signs a patient may present with are muscle stiffness, especially in the jaw, and headaches. From there, the patient may complain of symptoms such as neck stiffness, sweating, spasms, trouble swallowing, and the abdominal muscles becoming rigid. The following may also result:
- Many times the patients will be afebrile
- Late stage disease will show complications of autonomic dysfunction. An example of this would be periods of hypotension and bradycardia alternating with periods of tachycardia and hypertension.
- Patients with severe tetanus can present with:
- Opistohonos
- Extension of the legs, flexion of the arms
- Spasms of the intercostal muscles and diaphragm will cause periods of apnea
- A rigid abdominal wall will most likely be present as well