Which disease is commonly prevented by vaccination and is associated with lockjaw?

Which disease is commonly prevented by vaccination and is associated with lockjaw?

• A. Syringe
• B. Tetanus
• C. Counterfeit
• D. Interfering

Answer: (B)

Lockjaw, or trismus, is a classic sign of tetanus, an illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. Tetanus is notably preventable through vaccination with tetanus toxoid–containing vaccines (such as DTaP for children and Tdap for older individuals). The vaccine trains the immune system to make antibodies that neutralize the toxin, which dramatically reduces the risk of the painful muscle stiffness and spasms that define tetanus. Immunity is maintained with boosters every 10 years or after certain wounds, to keep protection strong. The other options are not diseases and don’t relate to vaccination or lockjaw, so they don’t fit the scenario.

Lockjaw, or trismus, is a classic sign of tetanus, an illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. Tetanus is notably preventable through vaccination with tetanus toxoid–containing vaccines (such as DTaP for children and Tdap for older individuals). The vaccine trains the immune system to make antibodies that neutralize the toxin, which dramatically reduces the risk of the painful muscle stiffness and spasms that define tetanus. Immunity is maintained with boosters every 10 years or after certain wounds, to keep protection strong. The other options are not diseases and don’t relate to vaccination or lockjaw, so they don’t fit the scenario.