Tetanus Prevention

How wounds can lead to tetanus and why vaccination status matters

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Tetanus is caused by a bacterium whose spores live in soil and animal manure and can enter through any break in the skin. Deep puncture wounds, dirty wounds, burns, and bites carry the highest risk, but minor scratches can occasionally be a cause. Whether a booster dose or tetanus immunoglobulin is needed after a wound depends on the type of wound and the person's vaccination history, and the rules differ between countries, so a health professional should assess any significant or dirty wound. Symptoms usually appear days to weeks after the injury and include jaw stiffness, called lockjaw, and painful muscle spasms, which need emergency treatment. Vaccination as part of national immunization schedules is the main protection.