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What does tetanus mean?

Looking for the meaning or definition of the word tetanus? Here's what it means.

Noun
  1. (pathology, countable) A serious and often fatal disease caused by the infection of an open wound with the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani, found in soil and the intestines and faeces of animals.
  2. (physiology) A state of muscle tension caused by sustained contraction arising from a rapid series of nerve impulses which do not allow the muscle to relax.
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Some vaccines, such as tetanus and pertussis, don't provide lifelong immunity.
Typical immunisations for a traveller will include a booster for polio and tetanus, and immunisation against hepatitis A and typhoid.
For nearly 50 years Australian babies have been routinely vaccinated against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.
Active immunization by vaccination with tetanus toxoid is now usual in childhood, along with diphtheria and whooping cough vaccines.
Farm animals are guarded against anthrax, tetanus, and other disease by antibiotics or vaccines developed by animal based research.
During the late period of slavery attempts were made to prevent infant deaths from tetanus.

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