What is tetanus?

Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
Updated on March 16, 2025
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Tetanus infection occurs when Clostridium tetani invades the human body through skin and mucosal membranes, producing certain neurotoxins that lead to symptoms. As Clostridium tetani is an anaerobic bacterium, it typically thrives in anaerobic environments and is often found in heavily contaminated, muddy, or rusty conditions. Therefore, if there is an infection in a wound that is deep, located in an oxygen-poor environment, or heavily contaminated with dirt or rust, or in cases of extensive open fractures, explosion injuries, etc., anti-tetanus treatment is essential. It is generally recommended to administer an injection within 24 hours of the injury, which includes tetanus toxoid that requires a skin test—this is not to be used by patients with allergies—and tetanus immunoglobulin, which does not require a skin test.

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Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
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Tetanus needle skin test allergic symptoms

For tetanus shot skin allergy symptoms, they generally include redness, swelling, and itching of the skin. Severe cases can cause an increase in body temperature. Therefore, if an allergy occurs, caution is needed, and desensitization treatment may be necessary. It's important to rest normally. Tetanus vaccine is mainly a medication used to prevent tetanus infection. Thus, after an injury, it is necessary to get the shot. Also, take care to rest, avoid spicy and stimulating foods as well as those high in hormone levels, adjust your mindset, change dressings regularly, and have regular check-ups.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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Is tetanus easy to infect?

Tetanus is not easily contracted.Tetanus bacilli belong to anaerobes, and are prone to occur in conditions where the wounds are deep, in an anoxic or low oxygen situation, heavily contaminated wounds such as with dirt or rust, and in cases of open fractures with large wounds. In these situations, tetanus bacilli can colonize the skin and mucous membranes, producing neurotoxins that lead to a series of complications. Therefore, anti-tetanus treatment must be conducted for wounds in an anaerobic environment, such as heavily arsenic-contaminated wounds.For routine wounds that are shallow and small, it is sufficient to change the dressing.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Does tetanus cause fever?

When tetanus occurs, early symptoms mainly include dizziness, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, weak chewing, sore jaw muscles, or tense facial muscles. Some cases show exaggerated reflexes or muscle tension. Generally, tetanus has its typical manifestations, such as difficulty in opening the mouth, risus sardonicus (a sardonic smile), opisthotonus (arching of the back), and stiff neck. In clinical practice, a few cases may even have a fever. Therefore, fever in tetanus is only seen in individual cases.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
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What are the symptoms of tetanus sequelae?

Tetanus, a viral infection problem, is actually quite a common disease. Usually, if the wound is deep or caused by rusty metals, there is a higher possibility of it leading to a tetanus infection. This condition requires timely treatment or prevention, otherwise, it can easily lead to complications. For example, tetanus typically causes complications primarily related to the lungs, such as pneumonia and pulmonary edema, among other issues, which are quite typical. The infected individual may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, nausea, etc., all of which could be a result of tetanus bacteria infection. In the case of a deep wound, it is crucial to promptly administer a vaccine to prevent exacerbation of the infection, and local treatment should be performed to effectively prevent it.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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How to avoid tetanus with minor wounds

If minor wounds are not properly handled, they can lead to serious problems, including tetanus. Treatment for minor wounds should be based on the integrity of the skin, the depth of the wound, and whether the object causing the wound was rusty. For simple minor wounds where the integrity of the skin is maintained and only abrasions are present, disinfection of the affected skin area may suffice. If the wound has compromised the integrity of the skin and is deep, especially if caused by rusty, sharp objects, it is necessary to thoroughly remove any foreign materials, clean the wound, and suture it. Dressing changes might be required, along with tetanus vaccination to prevent tetanus infection.