Can tetanus be fatal?

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Tetanus can be fatal if not treated promptly. When infected with tetanus, early symptoms primarily include dizziness, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, weak chewing, and sore jaw muscles, some may also exhibit increased reflexes or muscle rigidity. As the condition worsens, some patients show typical tetanus symptoms such as lockjaw, difficulty opening the mouth, risus sardonicus, opisthotonos, and stiff neck. As the condition further deteriorates, it can lead to difficulty breathing, or even respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. If not promptly rescued, the patient can die.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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tetanus early symptoms

Tetanus is an infection caused by Clostridium tetani, which enters the body through broken skin or mucous membranes and thrives in an anaerobic environment, producing toxins. Clinically, tetanus is characterized by lockjaw, episodic spasms, and rigid spasms, primarily affecting the muscles such as the masseter, latissimus dorsi, abdominal muscles, and limb muscles. Early symptoms of tetanus infection include general weakness, dizziness, headache, weak chewing, localized muscle tightness, pulling pain, and heightened reflexes.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Do not get a tetanus shot before a certain age.

Tetanus antitoxin, this type of vaccine, generally has no significant age restrictions. It is usually best not to administer it before the age of one, as it involves using a toxin to combat toxins and prevent certain diseases. Therefore, it is advised not to vaccinate before one year of age. However, not everyone needs to be vaccinated against tetanus; it only serves as a preventive measure and is only necessary if there is a possibility of infection. For instance, vaccination is required when there are deep wounds or apparent injuries from rusty metal, as these conditions have a higher risk of infection. In such cases, administering tetanus antitoxin can effectively prevent infection. Thus, vaccination should depend on the specific situation rather than on age.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Symptoms of Tetanus

What are the symptoms of tetanus? Generally, the prodromal symptoms include overall weakness, headache, difficulty swallowing, or limited movement of the head and neck. If the condition progresses further, there may be typical symptoms such as difficulty opening the mouth or tense jaw muscles, leading to muscle spasms in the limbs, possibly causing spasms of the larynx, which can lead to breathing difficulties or even suffocation. Hence, it is a particularly severe manifestation. Some individuals may experience generalized tonic muscle spasms throughout the body, a milder manifestation with a typically longer incubation period. Therefore, in the treatment of tetanus, proactive active immunization should be pursued.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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How long does it take for tetanus to develop?

The pathogen we refer to as tetanus is Clostridium tetani. It enters the body through broken skin or mucous membranes and proliferates extensively in an anaerobic environment, producing toxins that cause a characteristic infection known as tetanus. After infection, the incubation period of tetanus varies; typically, symptoms appear within seven to eight days, but they can manifest as quickly as within twenty-four hours or take several months or even years to develop.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Do you get a fever during the early stages of tetanus?

Tetanus symptoms can potentially begin with a fever during the early stage, generally occurring between six and ten days after injury, meaning symptoms can appear within 24 hours or several weeks post-injury. The shorter the incubation period, the more severe the symptoms and the higher the risk. Some patients may experience fatigue, headache, dizziness, restlessness, and possibly fever. Subsequently, typical symptoms of tetanus occur, primarily characterized by intense muscle contractions starting with the facial muscles. This includes difficulties in opening the mouth and lockjaw, among others. Thus, prevention is crucial for tetanus. When there is a local tissue injury, it is essential to promptly disinfect with hydrogen peroxide or iodine, followed by cleaning and suturing the wound and timely tetanus vaccination to prevent the disease.