Symptoms of having tetanus

Tetanus is a serious infection caused by bacteria entering damaged skin, including a puncture, burn, bite, or wound contaminated with soil. Early symptoms may include difficulty opening the mouth, neck stiffness, difficulty swallowing, abdominal muscle tightness, and painful contractions. Spasms can be triggered by touch, noise, or sudden movement. A wound may look minor or may have healed, so its appearance does not rule out tetanus. Symptoms can progress from local stiffness to widespread spasms, so early assessment matters even when breathing seems normal.

Treat suspected tetanus as an emergency. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe or try to manage spasms at home. Keep the person safe from falls, avoid food and drink if swallowing is difficult, and tell clinicians about any recent wound, vaccination history, and medicines. A clinician may need to clean the wound and provide urgent treatment. Keeping vaccinations up to date helps prevent future illness; see Tetanus Vaccination for more information.

Seek emergency help immediately for jaw locking, repeated muscle spasms, difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe stiffness, confusion, or a seizure. Call emergency services if breathing is affected, the person cannot swallow safely, or spasms are frequent. A recent dirty or deep wound also needs prompt medical assessment when vaccination is incomplete, uncertain, or overdue.

Ask whether the wound needs specialist cleaning, whether you need tetanus vaccine or antitoxin, and which symptoms should prompt an immediate return. Ask how to check your vaccination record and how to protect the wound while it heals.