Version July 2025
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What is tetanus? —
This is a serious infection that causes muscle stiffness and spasms. It is sometimes called "lockjaw" because muscle spasms can clench the jaw shut.
Tetanus is caused by bacteria (germs) that live in the soil. They can get into the body through a cut, scrape, or puncture wound. They can also get into the body if a person uses a needle to inject illegal drugs. Most people in the US are protected from these bacteria because they got vaccines against them.
What are the symptoms of tetanus? —
The symptoms include:
●Stiff jaw or neck muscles, which make it hard to move the jaw or neck normally
●A strange-looking smile that does not go away when trying to relax the mouth
●Tight, painful muscles that do not let go when trying to relax them
●Trouble breathing, swallowing, or both
●Feeling irritable or restless
●Sweating even when not exercising or hot
●Heartbeat that is faster than usual, or irregular heartbeat
●Fever
●Painful muscle spasms
People who are very sick with tetanus can have muscle spasms that force the body into a "bridge" position. This can involve:
●Clenched fists
●Back arched off the floor or bed
●Legs stretched out
●Arms moving back and forth
●Trouble breathing – The person might even stop breathing during a muscle spasm.
Is there a test for tetanus? —
No. But your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have it by asking about your symptoms and vaccine history, and by doing an exam. Tetanus is most likely in people who had an injury and who did not have the tetanus vaccine at all or did not have the right vaccine boosters.
Is tetanus dangerous? —
Yes. People with tetanus need to go to the hospital, and some people even die from it. The muscle spasms can cause a person to stop breathing.
How is tetanus treated? —
Doctors treat tetanus in the hospital, sometimes in the intensive care unit ("ICU"). Treatment includes:
●Cleaning cuts or scrapes to remove skin and tissue that could have tetanus bacteria on it
●Giving medicines to fight the infection
●Giving a tetanus vaccine booster
●Giving medicine and other treatments to reduce muscle spasms, breathing problems, pain, and other symptoms
●Using a ventilator (breathing machine) if you have trouble breathing on your own
●Using a feeding tube if you cannot eat or drink on your own
●Having physical therapy to help your muscles recover
Can tetanus be prevented? —
Yes. To reduce your chances of getting tetanus, you should
●Get a tetanus vaccine and boosters – The vaccine teaches the body how to fight tetanus. Most children growing up in the US get the vaccine as part of their routine childhood vaccines.
It's also important to get regular tetanus booster shots. These remind the body how to protect against infection. Adults should get tetanus booster shots every 10 years.
●Call your doctor or nurse if you get a puncture wound or animal bite – A puncture wound is when something sharp or pointy, like a nail, goes deep into the skin. You should also tell the doctor or nurse if you get an injury that leaves anything in your skin, like a piece of metal or glass.
If you get a bad wound, you need to get a tetanus booster shot if you haven't had one in the last 5 years. If you have a bad wound and you haven't received all your tetanus vaccines or you are not sure if you have, you need a tetanus booster shot and another shot to fight any tetanus bacteria that got in the wound.
●Clean wounds carefully – Wash all cuts or scrapes with soap and water, and put antibiotic ointment on them. See a doctor or nurse if you cannot get all the dirt out or cannot see all the way into the wound.
●Be careful with needles – If you use needles (for example, to give yourself medicine), make sure they are clean and sterile.
Patient education: Taking care of cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds (The Basics)
Patient education: Animal and human bites (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for babies and children age 0 to 6 years (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for children age 7 to 18 years (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Animal and human bites (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for infants and children age 0 to 6 years (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for children age 7 to 18 years (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for adults (Beyond the Basics)
