Symptoms of tetanus

Symptoms of tetanus

Tetanus symptoms usually begin 3 to 21 days after a contaminated wound, though they can appear sooner or later. The illness is caused by a toxin from the bacterium Clostridium tetani that attacks the nerves controlling muscles.

Early symptoms:

• Stiffness of the jaw muscles - the classic "lockjaw" - making it hard to open the mouth
• Trouble or pain when swallowing
• Stiffness in the neck, shoulders or back
• Headache, irritability and restlessness
• Mild fever and sweating

Progressing symptoms:

• Painful muscle spasms, often triggered by noise, light or touch
• A fixed, grimacing smile (risus sardonicus) from facial muscle spasm
• Arching of the back (opisthotonus) - the body bends backward with only head and heels touching the bed
• Spasms of the breathing muscles and throat, which can block breathing
• Fast heart rate, blood pressure swings and high fever

In newborns (neonatal tetanus): a baby who fed normally for the first two days stops being able to suckle, becomes stiff, and has spasms. This follows unclean cutting or dressing of the umbilical cord and is a dire emergency.