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StatPearls, LLC

  • Immunization
  • Muscle Rigidity
  • Tetanus
  • Tetanus Toxin
  • Tetanus Toxoid

Tetanus (Clostridium tetani Infection)

Clostridium tetani is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacillus that produces muscle rigidity and hypersympathetic activity leading to tetanus. With around 1 million cases annually, it primarily affects resource-poor regions and unvaccinated populations. Tetanus toxin inhibits neurotransmitter release in the brain stem and spinal cord. Wound contamination is the usual entry mode, but in rare cases, no specific inoculation site is identified. Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment due to the limited confirmatory value of laboratory tests. Treatment involves a comprehensive approach, including airway protection, benzodiazepines, human tetanus immunoglobulin, and tetanus toxoid, addressing sympathetic hyperactivity. Tetanus is preventable through tetanus toxoid immunizations. Participation in this activity provides clinicians with a thorough understanding of tetanus, from its microbiological basis to practical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. This knowledge is crucial for enhancing clinical competency and improving patient outcomes in cases of tetanus.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

IPCE CreditsUp to 1.5 creditsAAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsNursingUp to 1.5 creditsPharmacyUp to 1.5 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABOS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABPATH — Lifelong LearningUp to 1.5 pointsABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 1.5 pointsABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABP — Lifelong Learning and Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 10 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 1.5 credits
  • MOC · Up to 1.5 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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