Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that can affect anyone. It is caused by spores produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. These spores are in every environment worldwide, particularly in soil, dust, and the intestines/feces of humans and animals. When the spores enter the body, they develop into bacteria. These bacteria then release a neurotoxin (a poison that affects your nervous system) that can lead to muscle spasms and stiffness that usually begin in the jaw and neck. This can make it hard to open your mouth, which is why tetanus is sometimes referred to as “lockjaw”.

Other symptoms of tetanus can include headache, seizures, trouble swallowing, fever and sweating, fast heart rate, and changes in blood pressure. In severe cases, tetanus can lead to complications such as broken/fractured bones due to muscle spasms, or pneumonia.

Unlike many other vaccine-preventable diseases, tetanus cannot be spread from person to person. Instead, tetanus spores commonly enter the body through wounds contaminated with feces, dust, or soil (e.g., cutting yourself while gardening or puncturing yourself by stepping on a contaminated nail). Spores can also enter the body through wounds that involve dead skin (such as frostbite and burns), animal bites, and injectable drug use.