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Tetanus
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

Tetanus

Tetanus is a serious, medical emergency caused by Clostridium bacteria that leads to painful muscle tightening and potential jaw locking.

Overview

Tetanus is a serious illness caused by Clostridium bacteria. These bacteria live in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. They can enter the body through a deep cut—such as stepping on a nail—or through a burn.

Symptoms and Complications

The infection causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually throughout the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw, making it impossible to open your mouth or swallow. Because this is a medical emergency, it requires treatment in a hospital.

Prevention

A vaccine can prevent tetanus and is administered as part of routine childhood vaccinations. Adults should receive a booster shot every 10 years. If you sustain a bad cut or burn, consult your doctor, as you may require a booster. Immediate and proper wound care is essential to prevent infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all dirty wounds cause tetanus, but the risk is significantly higher with deep puncture wounds, such as stepping on a nail, or injuries contaminated with soil, feces, or saliva. The Clostridium tetani bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they thrive in low-oxygen environments. Therefore, deep, narrow wounds where air cannot easily reach the bottom are more dangerous than shallow, open cuts that are well-oxygenated. Even a small splinter can be a risk if it is deep and not properly cleaned.
The incubation period for tetanus is usually between 3 and 21 days, with an average of about 8 days. The earliest symptom is often stiffness in the jaw muscles, known as trismus, which makes it difficult to open the mouth or chew. This is frequently followed by neck stiffness, difficulty swallowing, and painful muscle spasms in the abdomen. Because the symptoms can progress rapidly to affect breathing, any recent wound accompanied by jaw tightness or unexplained muscle spasms requires immediate medical evaluation.
For most minor, clean wounds, a tetanus booster is not necessary if you have had a dose within the last five years. However, for dirty wounds or those with a high risk of contamination, a booster is recommended if it has been more than five years since your last shot. If it has been more than ten years since your last dose, a booster is generally recommended for any significant wound. Your healthcare provider will assess the wound's condition and your vaccination history to determine if a booster is needed.
Lockjaw, or trismus, is a symptom characterized by the inability to open the mouth fully due to muscle spasms in the jaw. While it is the hallmark early sign of tetanus, it is not exclusive to this disease. Other conditions, such as dental abscesses, temporomandibular joint disorders, or severe bruxism (teeth grinding), can also cause jaw stiffness. However, if lockjaw appears suddenly without an obvious dental cause and is accompanied by muscle stiffness elsewhere in the body, it is a medical emergency that must be treated as potential tetanus until proven otherwise.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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