Tetanus
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CDC clinical guidance tetanus wound management vaccination 2026
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https://www.cdc.gov/tetanus/hcp/clinical-guidance/index.html
Tetanus is a serious, potentially fatal infection caused by Clostridium tetani spores entering through a wound, particularly one contaminated with soil, dirt, devitalized tissue, or foreign material. The bacteria produce tetanospasmin, a toxin that causes painful muscle rigidity and spasms. Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, p. 476.
Typical symptoms
- Jaw stiffness or “lockjaw”
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stiff neck or abdomen
- Painful, stimulus-triggered whole-body spasms
- Arching of the back (opisthotonus)
- Breathing difficulty due to laryngeal or respiratory-muscle spasm
Symptoms often begin about 4 to 14 days after exposure. Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, p. 476.
Prevention
- Routine vaccination is the main protection. Adults generally need a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years, per CDC vaccine recommendations.
- After a wound, a booster may be needed if the last dose was at least 10 years ago for a clean minor wound, or at least 5 years ago for a dirty or major wound. CDC wound guidance
- People with an unknown or incomplete vaccine history and a dirty/major wound may need both vaccine and tetanus immune globulin (TIG). TIG is not indicated for clean, minor wounds. CDC wound guidance
Urgent note: If you have a puncture, dirty wound, animal bite, crush injury, burn, or wound with dead tissue and you are unsure of your tetanus vaccination status, seek prompt medical assessment. New jaw stiffness, trouble swallowing, or muscle spasms after a wound requires emergency care.
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