Stiff neck and tetanus

Tetanus is caused by a toxin made by bacteria that can enter through a wound, especially a deep, dirty or puncture wound. Early symptoms may include jaw tightness, difficulty opening the mouth, neck stiffness, trouble swallowing and painful spasms. The illness can progress and affect breathing muscles. A wound may look small or have started to heal, so its appearance does not rule out risk. A stiff neck by itself is more often related to strain or another illness, but stiffness together with jaw tightness, spasms or swallowing difficulty is an emergency pattern.

For a wound, wash your hands, rinse the area with clean running water and remove visible dirt without digging into the tissue. Cover it with a clean dressing and seek medical advice promptly, particularly if it is deep, contaminated, caused by a bite or puncture, or you are unsure about your vaccination history. Do not wait for symptoms before asking about protection. A clinician may recommend wound care, vaccination or other treatment based on the injury and your records. Do not try to manage suspected tetanus at home.

Call emergency services immediately for jaw locking, painful repeated spasms, difficulty swallowing or breathing, rapidly worsening stiffness, or confusion after a possible wound exposure. Keep the person safe from falls and avoid forcing the jaw open. Tell emergency staff about the wound, when it occurred, how it was cleaned and any known vaccination history. If there are no symptoms but a risky wound has occurred, obtain prompt clinical advice about prevention.

Ask whether the wound needs professional cleaning, whether your tetanus vaccination is up to date, and whether additional protection is indicated. Mention the wound type, contamination, time since injury, previous doses if known, current medicines and any jaw tightness, spasms or swallowing changes.