How fast can tetanus set in

Any cut or wound must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent infection. A tetanus-prone wound should be treated by a medical professional immediately. Any patient with a wound listed above should receive tetanus immunoglobulin TIG as soon as possible, even if they have been vaccinated. Tetanus immunoglobulin contains antibodies that kill Clostridium tetani.

It is injected into a vein and provides immediate short-term protection against tetanus. TIG is just short-term and does not replace the long-term effects of vaccination. Experts say that TIG injections can be safely administered to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Doctors may prescribe penicillin or metronidazole for tetanus treatment. These antibiotics prevent the bacterium from multiplying and producing the neurotoxin that causes muscle spasms and stiffness. If the doctor thinks the tetanus prone wound is very large, they may surgically remove as much of the damaged and infected muscle as possible debridement.

Debridement is the act of removing dead or contaminated tissue, or foreign material. In the case of a tetanus-prone wound , the foreign material may be dirt or manure. A patient with tetanus requires a high daily calorie intake because of increased muscle activity. Some patients may need ventilator support to help with breathing if their vocal cords or respiratory muscles are affected. Tetanus is caused by the Clostridium tetani bacterium.

Clostridium tetani spores are able to survive for a long time outside of the body. They are most commonly found in animal manure and contaminated soil, but may exist virtually anywhere. When Clostridium tetani enter the body, they multiply rapidly and release tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin.

When tetanospasmin enters the bloodstream, it rapidly spreads around the body, causing tetanus symptoms. Tetanospasmin interferes with the signals traveling from the brain to the nerves in the spinal cord, and then on to the muscles, causing muscle spasms and stiffness.

Clostridium tetani enters the body mainly through skin cut or puncture wounds. Thoroughly cleaning any cut helps prevent an infection from developing. Most cases of tetanus occur in people who have never had the vaccine or who did not have a booster shot within the previous decade.

The tetanus vaccine is routinely given to children as part of the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis DTaP shot. The DTaP vaccine consists of five shots, usually given in the arm or thigh of children when they are aged:. A booster is normally given between the ages of 11 and 18 years, and then another booster every 10 years. If an individual is traveling to an area where tetanus is common, they should check with a doctor regarding vaccinations.

Anyone who receives a deep or dirty wound and has not had a booster shot over the last 5 years should have another booster. A patient in this situation may also be given tetanus immune globulin, which works to prevent infection. It is important that medical attention is sought swiftly as tetanus immune globulin only works for a short time after the injury.

In many countries, the average doctor may never see a patient with tetanus. Causes and Transmission. Minus Related Pages. Related Links. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.

CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. Cancel Continue. According to the CDC, serious health problems that can happen because of tetanus include:.

Severe tetanus-induced tetanic muscle spasms can interfere with or stop your breathing. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death. The lack of oxygen induces cardiac arrest and death. Pneumonia is another cause of death. On average, there are only about 30 reported cases each year. Nearly all cases of tetanus are among people who did not get all the recommended tetanus vaccinations. Tetanus first became a reportable disease in the late s. At that time, there were to cases reported per year.

After the introduction of the tetanus vaccine in the mids, reported cases of tetanus dropped steadily. Most reported cases occur in adults. From to , more than 60 percent of the reported cases in the United States were among people 20 through 64 years old. In addition, one-quarter of those reported cases were among people age 65 or older. The risk of death from tetanus is highest among people 65 or older. According to the WHO, in , approximately 34, newborns died from neonatal tetanus. This is a 96 percent reduction from , when an estimated , newborn babies died of tetanus within their first month of life a decrease linked to higher rates of tetanus shots given during pregnancy.

Strychnine poisoning is the only condition that truly mimics tetanus by causing muscle spasms. However, a number of conditions may also be associated with trismus, a painful condition in which the chewing muscles of the jaw become contracted. These include:. Mayo Clinic Here you can find helpful information on the symptoms and treatment for tetanus, as well as immunization schedules and details on vaccinations. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 28, February 22, July Immunization Action Coalition. June About Tetanus: Symptoms and Complications. Tetanus: For Clinicians. January 23, World Health Organization. Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals: Neonatal Tetanus. August 14, Merck Manual Consumer Version. December,