The key difference between tetanus and rabies is that tetanus is an infection characterized by a neurotoxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani, while rabies is an infection characterized by a neurotoxin produced by a virus called rabies virus.
Neurotoxins are toxins that are really destructive to nerve tissues. Neurotoxins can adversely affect the function of both developing and mature nervous tissues. Tetanus and rabies are common infections characterized by the production of neurotoxins and are responsible for nervous tissue damages.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Tetanus
3. What is Rabies
4. Similarities – Tetanus and Rabies
5. Tetanus vs Rabies in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Tetanus vs Rabies
What is Tetanus?
Tetanus is an infection that happens due to the production of a neurotoxin by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. It is also called lockjaw disease. It is a serious bacterial disease of the nervous system. The severe complications of tetanus can be life-threatening. The signs and symptoms may include painful muscle spasms, stiff, immovable muscles in the jaw, the tension of muscles around the lips, producing persistent grin, painful spasms, rigidity in the neck muscles, difficulty swallowing, rigid abdominal muscles, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, fever, and extreme sweating.
Figure 01: Tetanus
The causative bacteria survive in a dormant state in soil and animal feces. When the dormant bacteria enter a wound and find a place good for growth, they start growing and dividing. Then the bacteria release a toxin called tetanospasmin. This toxin impairs the nerves in the body that control muscles. Tetanus can be diagnosed through physical examination, medical and vaccination history, and blood tests. Furthermore, tetanus can be treated through antitoxin therapy, sedatives, vaccination, antibiotics, and other drugs (morphine).
What is Rabies?
Rabies is an infection characterized by the production of a neurotoxin by a virus called rabies virus. This virus spreads by the saliva of infected animals. It is a fatal viral disease, but it is preventable. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal.
In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. However, in developing countries, stray dogs are most likely to spread rabies to people. The signs and symptoms of rabies may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, fear brought on by attempts to drink fluids, fear bought on by air blowing on the face, hallucinations, insomnia, and partial paralysis.
Figure 02: Rabies
Moreover, rabies can be diagnosed through physical examination, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) tests, and brain scans. Furthermore, rabies can be treated by fast-acting rabies shots (rabies immune globulin) and a series of rabies vaccinations.
What are the Similarities Between Tetanus and Rabies?
- Tetanus and rabies are two infections caused due to the production of neurotoxins that damage nervous tissues.
- Both diseases generally do not give rise to systematic inflammatory responses.
- They cause paralysis and autonomic instability.
- Both diseases can be prevented through vaccinations.
- If not treated properly, both diseases can result in life-threatening complications such as death.
What is the Difference Between Tetanus and Rabies?
Tetanus is an infection caused due to a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani, while rabies is an infection caused due to a neurotoxin produced by the rabies virus. Thus, this is the key difference between tetanus and rabies. Furthermore, tetanus normally occurs from the infection of wounds by the soil-borne bacteria Clostridium tetani. On the other hand, rabies normally occurs from an animal bite infected with the rabies virus of the Lyssavirus group.
The below infographic presents the differences between tetanus and rabies in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Tetanus vs Rabies
Tetanus and rabies are two infections that result in the production of neurotoxins. These neurotoxins cause nervous tissues damages. Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani, while rabies is caused by the rabies virus. So, this is the summary of the difference between tetanus and rabies.
Reference:
1. “Tetanus.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Rabies?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Tetanus bacilli (clostrium tetani)” By Vaccines at Sanofi (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Rabies Virus” By Scientific Animations (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia