How long does it take for tetanus to develop?

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Tetanus is a specific type of infection caused by the toxin produced by the growth and reproduction of Clostridium tetani, which enters the body through damaged skin and mucous membranes and thrives in an anaerobic environment. Clinically, it is mainly characterized by lockjaw, muscle rigidity, and muscle spasms. After being infected with tetanus, people generally show symptoms within seven to eight days; in quick cases, symptoms can appear within twenty-four hours, while in longer scenarios, the onset can take several months or even years.

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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 Li Jin Quan
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Can tetanus be fatal?

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
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What will happen with tetanus?

Firstly, it should be noted that tetanus is a curable specific infection. Typically, after being infected with tetanus, the early symptoms mainly include dizziness, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, refusal of weakness, jaw pain, or some hyperreflexia. As the condition worsens, symptoms such as muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, risus sardonicus, difficulty opening the mouth, lockjaw, opisthotonos, and stiffness in the neck can occur. In severe cases, there may be difficulty breathing, respiratory arrest, and even cardiac arrest. The vast majority of tetanus patients can fully recover through proper and systematic treatment.

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What should I do if I am allergic to tetanus?

Mild symptoms of tetanus allergy mainly manifest as skin redness, itching, and the appearance of rashes, some of which occur a few days after the tetanus injection, with redness and itching at the injection site or the appearance of some rashes. Severe tetanus allergies can cause chest tightness, irritability, pale complexion, profuse sweating, low blood pressure, and slow pulse. In severe cases, it can lead to cessation of heartbeat and breathing. Once an allergic reaction to tetanus occurs, the injection of tetanus should be immediately discontinued, a venous pathway should be established, and aggressive treatment with adrenaline, dexamethasone, and calcium agents should be administered for the allergy.

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Is tetanus fatal?

Tetanus infection is quite frightening, with current statistics showing that the mortality rate of tetanus infections can be as high as 40%, and about a million people die from tetanus globally each year. The current principle is to promptly inject tetanus antitoxin or tetanus immunoglobulin for sharp, deep wounds. For tetanus infection, the main symptoms manifest as local or systemic muscle rigidity and spasms. The incubation period varies; if a tetanus vaccination has been previously administered, or depending on the infection and treatment of the wound, the severity of the onset can differ. The prodromal period typically presents symptoms like dizziness, headache, heightened reflexes, restlessness, and possible difficulty opening the mouth; during the convulsive phase, there is continuous muscle contraction, eventually causing persistent spasms in the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.