Mild tetanus symptoms: what to know

Tetanus toxin affects the nervous system and can cause muscles to tighten painfully. The jaw and neck may be affected first, followed by stiffness in the back or abdomen and spasms triggered by touch, noise or movement. The wound may be minor, difficult to see or already closed by the time symptoms appear.

A sore jaw has many possible causes, so it does not confirm tetanus. The combination of new stiffness or spasms with a recent puncture, burn, crush injury or contaminated wound deserves prompt clinical review.

Do not try to stretch a locked jaw or manage spasms alone. Keep the person calm, reduce stimulation and seek urgent medical advice. Clean any accessible wound gently with running water, but do not delay care to do this. Tell the clinician about the injury, its timing and your Tetanus Vaccination history.

Go to emergency care immediately for trouble breathing, inability to swallow, jaw locking, repeated spasms, severe neck stiffness or rapidly worsening symptoms. A person with suspected tetanus needs medical assessment even if symptoms initially seem limited, because breathing and swallowing can become affected.

Ask whether your symptoms fit tetanus or another muscle problem, whether the wound needs treatment, whether vaccination or additional prevention is needed, and what warning signs require an ambulance.