Tetanus Types: Unfused vs. Fused - Symptoms & Differences

Unfused tetanus:

- Caused by tetanospasmin produced by Clostridium tetani.

- Initial symptoms:

- Trismus (lockjaw), risus sardonicus (sardonic smile), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

- May progress to:

- Rigidity - stiffening and painful spasms of muscles.

- Opisthotonus - severe spasms that cause the body to arch backward.

- Autonomic dysfunction: hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmias, profuse sweating.

Fused tetanus:

- Rare form of tetanus that occurs when tetanospasmin reaches the brainstem and causes fusion of the motor nuclei of the cranial nerves.

- Symptoms are similar to unfused tetanus but are more severe.

- Brainstem dysfunction may lead to respiratory failure and death.