What should you know about tetanus bacteria?

Clostridium tetani can live in soil, dust and animal faeces. It forms hardy spores that may enter through a puncture, cut, burn, bite or area of damaged tissue. Inside low-oxygen tissue, the bacteria can release a toxin that interferes with signals controlling muscles.

Tetanus does not usually spread from one person to another. The illness is caused by toxin made after spores enter a wound, not by ordinary contact with someone who has tetanus. Vaccination trains the immune system to neutralise the toxin.

Wash a wound with clean running water and remove loose dirt gently. Do not dig into a deep puncture, close a contaminated wound with household glue, or rely on antibiotics alone. Contact a healthcare professional promptly if the wound is deep, dirty, crushed, burned or caused by a bite.

Bring any vaccination record you have. The clinician will consider the wound and your previous tetanus-containing vaccines when deciding whether a booster or human tetanus immunoglobulin is needed.

Get urgent help for increasing jaw tightness, trouble swallowing, neck or abdominal stiffness, painful muscle spasms, changes in breathing or repeated whole-body tightening. Do not wait for symptoms after a high-risk wound; preventive assessment works best before illness develops.

Ask how the wound should be cleaned, whether your vaccination history is complete, whether you need a booster or immunoglobulin, and what symptoms require emergency attention.