Tetanus

Tetanus is a potentially life-threatening but preventable infection caused by a specific bacteria getting into open wounds on the body. It is rare in the UK due to the success of the immunisation programme.

Number of cases of tetanus in England

Cases reported to the WHO per country per year

Incubation period

4-21 days

Symptoms

Stiff jaw, Stiff abdominal and back muscles, Contraction of the facial muscles, Fast pulse, Sweating, Painful muscle spasms, especially near the wound area, Trouble swallowing

Possible complications

Eating and breathing problems, Vocal cord spasms, Broken bones, Pneumonia, High blood pressure or abnormal heart rate, Blood clot in a lung

About tetanus

Tetanus is a serious but rare condition (sometimes known as ‘Lockjaw’) caused by the toxin (or poison) of the spores of the Clostridium tetani bacterium getting into a wound. These spores are found all over the world in soil and manure. If they infect a wound, the toxin can cause painful muscle cramps, lockjaw (stiffness of the jaw muscles), and, if severe, spasms of the whole body which can lead to death. Tetanus cannot be caught from other people.

Tetanus symptoms

On average, tetanus symptoms start around 10 days after infection but can appear any time within four to 21 days.

One of the main symptoms is stiffness in the jaw muscles, which makes it difficult for you to open your mouth. This is why the illness is sometimes referred to as ‘Lockjaw’.

Other symptoms include painful muscle spasms that can make it difficult to breathe and swallow, a high temperature, sweating and a rapid heartbeat.

Possible complications

Tetanus is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness of the central nervous system. Complications can include:

  • Vocal cord spasms
  • Broken bones due to severe muscle spasms
  • Breathing problems
  • Pneumonia
  • High blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythms
  • Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung)

Tetanus FAQs

The Clostridium tetani bacterium is commonly found in soil and the manure of animals such as horses and cows. It can survive for a long time out of the body but, if able to enter through a wound, it quickly multiplies and releases a toxin that affects the nerves, causing symptoms such as muscle stiffness and spasms.

The bacteria can enter the human body through cuts and grazes, burns, animal bites, eye injuries, injecting contaminated drugs, or even body piercings, tattoos and injections.

Tetanus is not contagious, so it can’t be spread from person to person.

In 2020, there were seven cases of tetanus in England; two people died in those cases. Five out of the seven affected people were born before 1961, which is when routine childhood vaccination against tetanus was introduced in the UK.

Although rare, it remains an extremely dangerous disease, killing up to one in five people who get it, even with the best modern treatment.

FIND OUT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TETANUS VACCINATION HERE

Tetanus is diagnosed based on a physical exam, medical and vaccination history. A doctor will also look for muscle spasms, muscle rigidity and pain, especially if the patient has recently had an open wound.

A laboratory test might be used to confirm the illness or to rule out other conditions.

If a doctor thinks there’s a chance that your child could develop tetanus from a wound, it will be cleaned thoroughly and they may be given an injection of tetanus immunoglobulin, even if they’re not showing any symptoms of the illness.

Tetanus immunoglobulin contains antibodies that stop the tetanus toxin from working. This provides immediate but short-term protection from tetanus.

You will be asked whether your child’s tetanus vaccinations are up-to-date. If there’s any doubt, they will likely be given a dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine, as well as antibiotics.

Anyone with symptoms of tetanus will usually be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in the hospital and given treatments such as tetanus immunoglobulin, antibiotics and medicine to help with any muscle stiffness or spasms.

Sometimes, people with tetanus need help to breathe or a feeding tube into their stomach to make sure they’re receiving the right nutrients if they’re having problems swallowing.

Although most people with tetanus do recover, it can take several weeks or even months to return to full health.

Individual advice about protecting your child against tetanus

Need advice about vaccinating your child against tetanus? The BabyJabs team is here to listen and answer your questions to help you decide.