Per CDC
Tetanus is an infection caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani (C. tetani), that are found in the environment. Tetanus is an uncommon but very serious disease that requires immediate treatment in a hospital.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms typically occur between 3 and 21 days (average 8 days) after someone is exposed to C. tetani.
The first sign is most commonly spasms of the jaw muscles, or "lockjaw."
Other symptoms can include:
Trouble swallowing
Sudden, involuntary muscle spams — often in the stomach
Painful muscle stiffness all over the body
Seizures (jerking or staring)
Headache
Fever and sweating
Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
Complications
Tetanus can cause serious health problems, including:
Laryngospasm (uncontrolled tightening of the vocal cords)
Fracture (broken bone)
Pulmonary embolism (blockage in lungs caused by a blood clot)
Aspiration pneumonia (lung infection from inhaling spit or vomit)
Breathing difficulty
Tetanus can lead to death (1 in 10 cases in the United States are fatal).
Prevention
Vaccination is the best way to protect against tetanus
The best way to prevent tetanus is to get vaccinated. CDC recommends tetanus vaccination for everyone.
To learn more visit: About Tetanus | Tetanus | CDC
