Tetanus warning signs

Tetanus toxin affects the nerves that regulate muscle activity. Early symptoms can include difficulty opening the mouth, tightness in the jaw or neck, trouble swallowing, or stiffness around the abdomen. Spasms may become painful and can be triggered by movement, touch, noise, or light.

A wound may have been small or already healed, so its appearance does not rule out a serious problem. These symptoms can have other causes, but a recent puncture, cut, burn, bite, or dirty wound makes urgent assessment especially important.

Clean the injury with clean running water, remove surface dirt gently, and cover it. Seek prompt medical advice for a deep, punctured, dirty, bitten, burned, crushed, or difficult-to-clean wound, especially when vaccine history is unknown.

Do not try to manage jaw stiffness or muscle spasms at home. Tell the clinician when the wound occurred, what caused it, how it was cleaned, and which tetanus vaccines you may have received. Preventive information is available at [Tetanus Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/tetanus-vaccination/).

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department for breathing difficulty, repeated severe spasms, rapidly spreading stiffness, inability to swallow, or marked jaw locking. Keep the person safe from injury while help is arranged and avoid giving food or drink if swallowing is impaired.

Ask whether your symptoms could represent tetanus, whether the wound needs treatment, and which preventive measures are appropriate. Ask how to recognise worsening breathing or swallowing problems while awaiting care.