Tetanus: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Tetanus?
An emergency room doctor and an infectious disease doctor, who treats illnesses caused by germs, often lead care for tetanus. Tetanus is a medical emergency that needs care in a hospital. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is tetanus?
Tetanus is an infection caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. It is uncommon but very serious. The bacteria make a poison called tetanus toxin. The poison blocks nerve signals from your spinal cord to your muscles, which causes severe muscle spasms. Tetanus often begins with mild spasms in the jaw muscles, which is called lockjaw.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually start 3 to 21 days after a person is exposed to the bacteria, and the average is 8 days. The first sign is most often spasms of the jaw muscles, called lockjaw.
Other symptoms can include:
- Trouble swallowing.
- Painful muscle stiffness all over the body.
- Sudden muscle spasms that you cannot control, often in the stomach.
- Seizures, which are jerking or staring spells.
- Headache.
- Fever and sweating.
- Changes in blood pressure and heart rate.
The spasms can also reach the chest, neck, back, and belly muscles. When the spasms hit muscles that help with breathing, they can cause breathing problems.
Tetanus can cause serious health problems, such as:
- Laryngospasm, which is uncontrolled tightening of the vocal cords.
- Broken bones.
- A blood clot that blocks a blood vessel in the lungs.
- Aspiration pneumonia, a lung infection from breathing in spit or vomit.
Causes and who gets it
Spores of the bacteria are found in soil and in the feces and mouths of animals. They can get into the body through broken skin, usually through injuries. Nearly all cases in the United States happen in people who have not been vaccinated.
Some things raise the risk of tetanus:
- Never having had a tetanus vaccine.
- Not being up to date with your 10-year tetanus booster shots.
- Having a recent wound, especially one that is deep or has dirt in it.
- Being 80 years old or older.
- Having diabetes.
- Having a condition that weakens the immune system.
- Using injection drugs.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors usually decide if a person has tetanus by looking for its common signs and symptoms. They may also ask about recent cuts, scrapes, punctures, and other injuries. No lab test or other test can confirm tetanus.
Treatment
Tetanus needs care in a hospital right away. Treatment can include:
- Tetanus immune globulin, a medicine that neutralizes the poison.
- Wound care, including surgery to clean the wound and remove the source of the poison.
- Antibiotics.
- Medicines to control muscle spasms.
- Bed rest in a calm place with dim light and less noise.
- A tetanus vaccine.
Some people need a machine to help them breathe.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have lockjaw, trouble swallowing, painful muscle stiffness, sudden muscle spasms, trouble breathing, or a seizure. Contact your doctor right away if you have an open wound, especially if you were hurt outdoors, the wound touched soil, or you have not had a tetanus booster in 10 years or are not sure about your shot history. See a doctor about any wound that is deep or from a puncture, such as stepping on a nail. Also see a doctor about any wound with dirt, soil, or animal saliva in it. The best way to prevent tetanus is to stay up to date on your tetanus vaccine. Adult boosters are recommended every 10 years, starting at age 19. Apply first aid right away to even minor, non-infected wounds.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can review your tetanus shot history and help you stay up to date on boosters. They can also look at a wound and tell you if you need urgent care.
Common questions
Can you get tetanus from a rusty nail?
Not from rust alone. You can get tetanus from a nail only if the nail is dirty and has the tetanus bacteria on it. It is the dirt on the nail, not the rust, that carries the risk.
How soon do tetanus symptoms start?
Symptoms usually start 3 to 21 days after exposure, and the average is 8 days.
Is tetanus deadly?
It can be. About 1 in 10 cases in the United States are fatal. Tetanus needs care in a hospital right away.
How can I prevent tetanus?
The best way is to stay up to date on your tetanus vaccine. Good wound care also helps. Apply first aid right away to even minor, non-infected wounds.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
