PsychologyAugust 10, 2026

tetanus

TET-uh-nus

Definition

A serious bacterial disease that affects the nervous system, leading to painful muscle contractions, typically included in standard childhood immunization schedules.

Etymology

The word originates from the Greek 'tetanos,' meaning 'stretching' or 'taut,' referring to the characteristic muscle stiffness and spasms caused by the infection.

In the news

Tetanus is listed as one of the essential childhood vaccines that the executive order recommends for all children, highlighting the clinical focus of the proposed policy changes.

Trump issues executive order aimed at rewriting childhood vaccine schedule

Read the full article ↗

Scientific American

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