What Is Tetanus?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
2. How Do People Contract Tetanus?
Any puncture wound can potentially expose the body to C. tetani spores, especially if the object penetrating the skin has been contaminated with soil or feces. Dog bites also pose a potentially greater threat because dogs can carry the C. tetani bacteria without becoming ill themselves. Saliva can contaminate the bite wound.
However, people have contracted tetanus from gunshot wounds or as a post surgical infection. A compound fracture in which the broken bone protrudes through the skin can also put you at risk. Fortunately, tetanus cannot be spread through person-to-person contact.
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