Tetanus is a serious but preventable bacterial infection that affects the nerves.
Tetanus can be prevented with a simple vaccine.
There are currently no blood tests available to diagnose tetanus.
Illustration by JR Bee, Verywell
This article discusses tetanus, symptoms of tetanus infections, treatment, and prevention.
It also explores what tetanus looks like and how it feels.
Tetanus Symptoms
Tetanus typically begins with mild spasms of the jaw muscles, referred to astrismusor lockjaw.
Even with comprehensive treatment, 10% of tetanus infections will result in death.
One such environment is a deep puncture wound in which the reactivated bacteria is able to establish an infection.
Once in the body, tetanus will release toxinsknown astetanospasmintoxinsthat bind to nerve cells.
Routes of Transmission
Tetanus occurs almost exclusively in people who have not been vaccinated againstC.
The disease has long been associated with puncture wounds brought on by rusty nails.
While the rust itself plays no role in the transmission of the diseasea common misconceptionit readily harborsC.
tetanispores.Stepping on a nailsimply delivers the spores deeper into the body, whether it is rusty or not.
Medical procedures, such as surgery or injections, are unlikely routes of transmission.
Worldwide, tetanus causes around 60,000 deaths annually.
Diagnosis
There are no blood tests able to diagnose tetanus.
Because of this, tetanus will be treated presumptively based on the appearance of symptoms and your vaccination history.
One in-office procedure that may support a diagnosis is the spatula test.
This involves the insertion of a tongue depressor in the back of your throat.
If you have been infected, you would react abnormally and reflexively bite down on the depression.
TIG is delivered by an injection into the muscle of either the upper arm or thigh.
Localized pain and swelling are the most common side effects.
The course of treatment would vary based on the severity of your symptoms.
Thereafter, a Td booster shot should be given every 10 years.
It should be given within 48 hours of the injury, either with or without TIG.
Change the dressing once a day or as needed, and avoid getting the wound wet.
tetanior any other potentially serious infection.
If you cannotclean the woundon your own, see your healthcare provider or visit the nearest urgent care clinic.
Bring your immunization records if you’re free to to ensure you are given the appropriate treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tetanus symptoms typically set in somewhere between three and 21 days after exposure.
The average time from exposure to illness is 10 days.
However, symptoms can start as early as one day after exposure or as late as several months.
Tetanus infections do not cause a rash and the wound will not show signs of tetanus.
From the outside, tetanus may look like muscle tightness in the jaw, neck, and face.
Tetanus infection can cause involuntary facial expressions like a grimace or a grin.
Tetanus can be transmitted through an animal bite.
If you are up to date on your tetanus vaccinations, you do not need another shot.
Treatment with tetanus immunoglobin (TIG) may also be prescribed.
Adults should get boosters every 10 years.
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