Is It Possible To Have Mild Tetanus Affecting One Side Of Jaw, And To Get Bacterium By Just Breathing?

Posted on Sat, 3 Aug 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 3 Aug 2013 Answered on

Mon, 26 Aug 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : is it possible to have a mild case of tetanus that only affects one side of the jaw, also is it possible to get pick up the bacterium by just breathing dusty air if you have a tooth abcess

Answered by Dr. Neha Sumra (59 minutes later)

Hi

Thanks for writing in.

In my opinion tetanus doesn't involve just one side of jaw. First sign of tetanus infection is usually headache and difficulty in opening of mouth due to cramps of the muscles of jaw. This is called "lock jaw".
If you are having problem in one side of jaw then it can be due to few reasons:-
- sleep apnea
- night grinding habit
- snoring
- Temporomandibular joint disorder
All these habits lead to muscle spasm & may be symptomatic on affected side.

Moreover, tetanus spreads by dusty air but there is no relation between abscess tooth & any such infection.

You need to consult physician & oral surgeon to get complete check-up done.

Hope I answered your query.

Take Care
Regards
Dr.Neha Sumra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Mohammed Kappan