Overview
Tetanus (pronounced “teh-tuh-nuhs”) is a bacterial infection that affects your nervous system. When the bacteria enter your body, they create a poison (toxin) that causes painful muscle contractions. Tetanus is commonly called lockjaw because it causes your neck and jaw muscles to lock up. A vaccine can prevent tetanus.
Who does tetanus affect?
Anyone can get tetanus, but the disease is more common in developing countries that don’t have widespread vaccination programs in place. In these countries, tetanus is typically seen in newborn babies and their unvaccinated birth parents. Tetanus is also more frequently seen in warm climates, on farms and among people assigned male at birth.
In the U.S., tetanus infections usually occur in people who aren’t vaccinated against the disease. Tetanus is also seen in people who are elderly with lower immunity to the disease.
How common is tetanus?
Tetanus is very rare in the U.S. About 30 cases of tetanus are reported in the U.S. each year.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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