Medicines for Tetanus

What it is

Tetanus is a rare but serious condition caused by bacteria (Clostridium tetani) that are found in soil, dust, and manure, and can enter the body through a wound — particularly deep, dirty, or puncture wounds, or burns. The bacteria produce a toxin that affects the nerves, causing muscle stiffness and painful muscle spasms. Tetanus is not spread from person to person. In the UK and many countries, tetanus is now rare because of routine vaccination, which is highly effective — this is a key point: tetanus is largely preventable by vaccination, and most people are protected through the childhood immunisation programme (with boosters). The symptoms of tetanus usually develop some days to weeks after the bacteria enter the body, and can include: stiffness in the jaw muscles, which can make it difficult to open the mouth (this gives tetanus its old name, "lockjaw"); stiffness and spasms in other muscles, including the neck, back, tummy, and elsewhere, which can be painful and severe; difficulty swallowing; and, in severe cases, spasms that affect breathing, and other serious effects. Tetanus is a medical emergency and needs urgent hospital treatment. Because it is serious but largely preventable, the important messages are: keep up to date with tetanus vaccination (part of routine childhood immunisations and boosters); clean wounds properly; and seek medical advice for wounds that are dirty, deep, or caused by something contaminated (such as soil), or if your vaccination status is uncertain, as a booster vaccine and/or other treatment may be needed after certain injuries. Prompt wound care and attention to vaccination are the keys to preventing tetanus.

How it is treated

Because tetanus is serious but largely preventable, the approach centres on prevention through vaccination and proper wound care, and, if tetanus develops, urgent hospital treatment. Prevention is the most important part: the tetanus vaccine is highly effective and is given as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme, with booster doses, and being up to date with vaccination protects against tetanus. Proper wound care also matters — cleaning wounds thoroughly, and seeking medical advice for wounds that are dirty, deep, puncture-type, contaminated with soil or manure, or caused by animal bites or burns. After such an injury, a doctor or nurse will assess the wound and the person’s vaccination history, and may recommend a booster dose of the tetanus vaccine and, in some higher-risk situations, an injection of tetanus immunoglobulin (which gives immediate protection) — so it is worth seeking advice about relevant wounds, particularly if your vaccination status is uncertain or incomplete. If tetanus does develop, it is a medical emergency treated in hospital, often in intensive care, with treatment to neutralise the toxin, control the muscle spasms, treat the wound, prevent complications, and support the person (including supporting breathing if needed) while they recover, which can take time. Because tetanus is largely preventable, and the vaccine is so effective, the key messages are to keep up to date with tetanus vaccination (including the routine childhood doses and boosters), to clean wounds properly, and to seek medical advice for dirty, deep, or contaminated wounds or if unsure about vaccination status, so that a booster or other treatment can be given if needed. The reassuring message is that tetanus is now rare thanks to vaccination, and that prompt wound care and attention to vaccination status prevent it.