Tetanus virus: what it really is

Tetanus-causing bacteria can be present in soil, dust, and animal waste. They may enter the body through a puncture, cut, burn, bite, or wound containing dirt. Inside damaged tissue, the bacteria can produce a toxin that interferes with nerve signals controlling muscles.

Tetanus does not spread from one person to another through ordinary contact. The risk is linked to a wound and the person’s level of protection, not to catching a virus from someone who is ill. Vaccination helps the immune system respond to the toxin.

Clean a wound promptly with clean running water and remove visible debris gently. Cover it with a clean dressing and check it for increasing redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, or worsening pain.

Contact a healthcare professional for deep or punctured wounds, burns, bites, crush injuries, heavily dirty wounds, or wounds with a retained object. Explain when the injury happened and whether you know your tetanus vaccination history. More information is available under [Tetanus Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/tetanus-vaccination/).

Emergency assessment is needed for jaw stiffness, difficulty swallowing, painful spasms, severe muscle rigidity, or breathing problems after an injury. These symptoms can progress quickly and require hospital care.

Ask whether the wound needs further cleaning, whether you need a tetanus-containing vaccine, and which changes should trigger urgent review. Mention any immune condition, immune-suppressing medicine, or past vaccine reaction.