Also called: lockjaw

A serious bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms and can lead to death.

Tetanus is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that affects the nerves. A vaccine can easily prevent the infection, which has no cure.

Extremely rare

Fewer than 1,000 US cases per year

Preventable by vaccine

Treatable by a medical professional

Spreads by contact with a contaminated object or surface

Requires a medical diagnosis

Lab tests or imaging not required

Medium-term: resolves within months

Critical: needs emergency care

HOW IT SPREADS

By touching a contaminated surface (blanket or doorknob).

Requires a medical diagnosis

Tetanus causes painful muscle contractions, particularly in the jaw and neck. It can interfere with the ability to breathe, eventually causing death.

People may experience:

Whole body: fever, high blood pressure, nervous system dysfunction, or sweating.

Muscular: muscle spasms, facial muscle spasms, or stiff muscles.

Respiratory: episodes of no breathing or shortness of breath.

Also common: lockjaw, difficulty swallowing, drooling, fast heart rate, irritability, spasm with arched back and neck, or stiff neck.

Treatment consists of antibiotics and supportive care

Treatment focuses on managing complications.

Supportive care

Mechanical ventilation

Medications

Antibiotics, Penicillin, Sedative, and Dietary supplement

Medical procedure

Tracheotomy and Removal of unhealthy tissue

PEOPLE ALSO ASK

Can you be cured of tetanus?

There's no cure for tetanus. Treatment consists of wound care, medications to ease symptoms and supportive care.

What is the most effective treatment for tetanus?

Doctors may prescribe penicillin or metronidazole for tetanus treatment. These antibiotics prevent the bacterium from multiplying and producing the neurotoxin that causes muscle spasms and stiffness. Patients who are allergic to penicillin or metronidazole may be given tetracycline instead.

Can tetanus be treated after symptoms appear?

If tetanus does develop, seek hospital treatment immediately. This includes wound care, a course of antibiotics, and an injection of tetanus antitoxin. You may receive medications such as chlorpromazine or diazepam to control muscle spasms, or a short-acting barbiturate for sedation.

How is tetanus diagnosed?

How it's diagnosed. Your doctor will perform a physical exam to check for symptoms of tetanus, such as muscle stiffness and painful spasms. Unlike many other diseases, tetanus is not generally diagnosed through laboratory tests. ... Your doctor will also base a tetanus diagnosis on your immunization history.

Does cleaning a wound prevent tetanus?

It's essential to clean the wound to prevent the growth of tetanus spores. This involves removing dirt, foreign objects and dead tissue from the wound.

Do I need a tetanus shot for a small cut?

When you have a wound, as long as it breaks the skin, it is possible to develop tetanus. ... If the wound is dirty ort tetanus-prone, then your doctor would likely recommend a tetanus booster if you have not had a tetanus booster shot within the last five years.

What kills tetanus bacteria?

Tetanus immunoglobulin contains antibodies that kill Clostridium tetani. ... Doctors may prescribe penicillin or metronidazole for tetanus treatment. These antibiotics prevent the bacterium from multiplying and producing the neurotoxin that causes muscle spasms and stiffness.

Can tetanus be cured naturally?

There's no cure for tetanus. Treatment consists of wound care, medications to ease symptoms and supportive care.

Does hydrogen peroxide kill tetanus?

tetani are easily killed by heat, the spores are more resistant. Some are killed by boiling for 15 minutes, whereas others may survive for up to three hours. Most spores are killed within a few hours by a 1% aqueous solution of iodine, or by a 10-volume solution of hydrogen peroxide.

How quickly does tetanus set in?

Signs and symptoms of tetanus appear anytime from a few days to several weeks after tetanus bacteria enter your body through a wound. The average incubation period is seven to 10 days. Common signs and symptoms of tetanus include: Spasms and stiffness in your jaw muscles (trismus)

What happens if you don't get a tetanus shot after getting cut with rusty metal?

If you don't receive proper treatment, the toxin's effect on respiratory muscles can interfere with breathing. If this happens, you may die of suffocation. A tetanus infection may develop after almost any type of skin injury, major or minor. This includes cuts, punctures, crush injuries, burns and animal bites.

Would I know if I had tetanus?

How Do I Know If I Have Tetanus? ... As things progress, there can be stiffness of the jaw (called lockjaw) and neck muscles, irritability, and difficulty swallowing. There may be spasms in the facial muscles causing a strained smile appearance called risus sardonicus.

Can I take tetanus after 48 hours?

In those who are not up to date on their tetanus immunization, a booster should be given within 48 hours of an injury. In those with high-risk injuries who are not fully immunized, tetanus antitoxin may also be recommended. ... Tetanus antiserum was developed in 1890, with its protective effects lasting a few weeks.

What happens if tetanus is left untreated?

Tetanus is a serious but preventable bacterial infection that affects the nerves. ... If left untreated, a tetanus infection can progress from mild spasms to powerful whole-body contractions, suffocation, and heart attack.

What happens if u dont get tetanus shot?

If you don't receive proper treatment, the toxin's effect on respiratory muscles can interfere with breathing. If this happens, you may die of suffocation. A tetanus infection may develop after almost any type of skin injury, major or minor. This includes cuts, punctures, crush injuries, burns and animal bites.

What are the stages of tetanus?

Signs and symptoms of tetanus appear anytime from a few days to several weeks after tetanus bacteria enter your body through a wound. The average incubation period is seven to 10 days. Common signs and symptoms of tetanus include: Spasms and stiffness in your jaw muscles (trismus)

Can you get tetanus from a small cut?

You can get it through a cut or other wound. Tetanus bacteria are commonly present in soil, dust, and manure. The tetanus bacteria can infect a person even through a tiny scratch. But you are more likely to get tetanus through deep punctures from wounds created by nails or knives.

Can you get tetanus if the wound bleeds?

Risks for Infection

A person usually becomes infected with tetanus when dirt enters a wound or cut, but other instances can also allow the bacteria to enter the body. Puncture wounds. The risk for tetanus infection is greatest with deep, dirty puncture wounds where there is minimal bleeding and an absence of oxygen.

How long can I wait for a tetanus shot after getting cut?

If the injured person hasn't had a tetanus shot in the past five years and the wound is deep or dirty, your doctor may recommend a booster. The injured person should have the booster shot within 48 hours of the injury.

Do you need a tetanus shot after being cut by metal?

You may need a tetanus jab if the injury has broken your skin and your tetanus vaccinations aren't up-to-date. ... The bacteria that can cause tetanus can enter your body through a wound or cut in your skin.

What kind of wound requires a tetanus shot?

How to Know When You Need a Tetanus Shot. Tetanus is a disease caused by Clostridium tetani, a type of bacteria found worldwide in dust, soil and manure. The bacteria enter the body through a wound, which may include a cut, puncture wound, deep scrape or burn, or any injury that breaks the skin.

Can Antibiotics kill tetanus?

Antibiotics (usually metronidazole) are given intravenously to kill the bacteria and thus stop the production of toxin. However, antibiotics have no effect on toxin that has already been produced. ... A single dose of tetanus immune globulin is usually injected into a muscle to neutralize the toxin already produced.

Can vitamin C cure tetanus?

In people aged 13 to 30 years (n = 55),vitamin C treatment was associated with a 45% reduction in tetanus mortality (95% confidence interval from -69% to -5%). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: A single, non randomised, poorly reported trial of vitamin C as a treatment for tetanus suggests a considerable reduction in mortality.

Can your immune system fight off tetanus?

The toxoid teaches your immune system how to fight tetanus, but won't make you sick. ... If tetanus does infect someone, doctors help the immune system's battle with medicine to fight the toxin. They also clean the wound and use medicines to control the body's muscle spasms.

Can you get tetanus from a surface scratch?

You cannot get tetanus from another person. ... Tetanus bacteria are commonly present in soil, dust, and manure. The tetanus bacteria can infect a person even through a tiny scratch. But you are more likely to get tetanus through deep punctures from wounds created by nails or knives.

Do all rusty nails have tetanus?

But to many people, there is no nail more dangerous than the fabled rusty nail. Legend has it that stepping on a rusty nail will cause tetanus. ... A tetanus vaccine is part of a standard vaccination regime for infants, but its effects can wear off over time.

What are the chances of dying from tetanus?

Current statistics indicate that mortality in mild and moderate tetanus is approximately 6%; for severe tetanus, it may be as high as 60%. Mortality in the United States resulting from generalized tetanus is 30% overall, 52% in patients older than 60 years, and 13% in patients younger than 60 years.

How likely are you to get tetanus?

Still, tetanus patients have only about a 50-50 chance of recovering. Most tetanus deaths occur among infants and the elderly. Everyone who has not had a tetanus shot is at risk to this disease.
...
Protect with Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) Shots.

What is the maximum time limit for tetanus injection?

The first two shots are given at least four weeks apart, and the third shot is given six to 12 months after the second shot. After the initial tetanus series, booster shots are recommended every 10 years.

Does Soap kill tetanus?

The wound can be washed with clean water, and soap can be used to clean the area around the wound. Trying to get any obvious dirt and particulate matter out of the wound are important -- not only to prevent tetanus, but also to prevent other bacterial infections of the wound.

When should you not use hydrogen peroxide?

Using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing. The best way to clean a minor wound is with cool running water and mild soap. Rinse the wound for at least five minutes to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria.

Can peroxide be used as a disinfectant?

Hydrogen peroxide is often used to clean skin wounds and prevent infection from minor cuts and scrapes. As a household cleaner, it's also an effective disinfectant that will kill viruses, bacteria, and other germs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Should I worry about tetanus?

When to see a doctor

See your doctor for a tetanus booster shot if you haven't had a booster shot within the past 10 years, or you have a deep or dirty wound and you haven't had a booster shot in five years. If you aren't sure of when you received your last booster, get a booster.

Does rust cause tetanus?

Tetanus is often associated with rust, especially rusty nails. Although rust itself does not cause tetanus, objects that accumulate rust are often found outdoors or in places that harbor anaerobic bacteria.

Is tetanus permanent?

The tetanus toxin causes no permanent damage to the nervous system after the patient recovers. After recovery, patients still require active immunization because having the tetanus disease does not provide natural immunization against a repeat episode.

What happens if you don't get a tetanus shot within 48 hours?

If you don't receive proper treatment, the toxin's effect on respiratory muscles can interfere with breathing. If this happens, you may die of suffocation. A tetanus infection may develop after almost any type of skin injury, major or minor. This includes cuts, punctures, crush injuries, burns and animal bites.

Can I get tetanus after 24 hours?

Tetanus vaccine. Tetanus vaccine, also known as tetanus toxoid (TT), is an inactive vaccine used to prevent tetanus. ... In those who are not up to date on their tetanus immunization, a booster should be given within 48 hours of an injury.

Can I get a tetanus shot 4 days after injury?

Getting a tetanus booster is not an emergency. Try to get the shot within 3 days of the injury. The bacteria multiply if they become trapped in a wound and you are not immunized.

Does a tetanus wound Look Infected?

It's important to note that a tetanus infection won't look infected around the wound. It does not cause an inflammatory response, so it's easy to be lulled into thinking that the wound is clean and therefore, safe. Occasionally, the tetanus will be limited to the area of the body where it entered.

Can you get tetanus from a safety pin?

Still, every injury that breaks the skin — from a dog bite to a safety-pin mishap — carries with it the potential for tetanus.

How likely are you to get tetanus from a rusty nail?

Rust doesn't cause tetanus, but stepping on a nail might if you're not immunized. In fact, any damage to the skin, even burns and blisters, allows tetanus-causing bacteria to enter the body. Tetanus is not as common as it once was. Still, tetanus patients have only about a 50-50 chance of recovering.

Why do tetanus shots hurt more?

If you have ever received a vaccination, you know your arm may feel a bit sore for a few days after the fact. The pain you are experiencing is usually soreness of the muscle where the injection was given. This pain is also a sign that your immune system is making antibodies in response to the viruses in the vaccine.

What are the symptoms of tetanus in humans?

Tetanus symptoms include:

Jaw cramping.Sudden, involuntary muscle tightening (muscle spasms) – often in the stomach.Painful muscle stiffness all over the body.Trouble swallowing.Jerking or staring (seizures) Headache.Fever and sweating.Changes in blood pressure and fast heart rate.

Can Neosporin prevent tetanus?

Tetanus Prevention

If you have a minor wound, these steps can help prevent you from getting tetanus: ... Apply a topical antibiotic: Antibiotics can ward off bacterial growth and infection, so after you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment, such as Neosporin and Polysporin.

How do you know if you have rust poisoning?

Symptoms

Drooling.Excessive sweating.Fever.Hand or foot spasms.Irritability.Swallowing difficulty.Uncontrolled urination or defecation.

Can you have tetanus for years?

But it can remain infectious for more than 40 years. You can get tetanus infection when the spores enter your body through an injury or wound.

Can you get tetanus even if you are vaccinated?

You cannot get tetanus from the tetanus shot. However, sometimes the tetanus vaccine can cause mild side effects.

Can you get tetanus if you clean the wound?

A clean object does not have dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. You will need a tetanus shot if: Your wound was caused by something that was clean and your last tetanus shot was longer than 10 years ago. Your wound was caused by something that was dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago.

Can I get a tetanus shot at CVS?

Visit MinuteClinic if you have not had a Td or Tdap shot in the last 10 years. You can talk to a MinuteClinic provider who can answer any questions you have about the Td vaccine and administer the shot, if appropriate, so that you are protected against tetanus and diphtheria for another ten years.

Which is better alcohol or hydrogen peroxide?

Using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing. The best way to clean a minor wound is with cool running water and mild soap. ... Wounds that are large, deep, or bleeding nonstop should be treated by a professional.

What is the fastest way to heal an open wound?

How to Heal Open Wounds Faster

Keep the wound moist – Scientific research has shown that a moist healing environment is beneficial for wound healing. ...Wounds Heal Faster with Vaseline – Vaseline (petroleum jelly) not only keeps wounds clean and moist but also provides an occlusive layer, thus keeps the wound covered.