Living with Tetanus
A serious infection that follows a contaminated wound and causes painful muscle spasms, often in the jaw.
Understanding Tetanus
The bacteria make a toxin called tetanospasmin that affects the nerves and causes muscle spasms in the jaw and other parts of the body. It can happen at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Lockjaw (trismus)
- Painful muscle spasms that come and go
- Muscle stiffness and rigidity
- Stiff neck
- Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
- Fever and fast heart rate
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Tetanus follows contamination of a wound by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which makes a toxin that causes muscle spasms.
Also known as: clostridial tetanus; clostridium tetani caused infectious disease of the nervous system; clostridium tetani infectious disease of the nervous system; infection caused by clostridium tetani; infection due to clostridium tetani
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Tetanus.
Explore research for Tetanus
Explore actively recruiting Tetanus studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Tetanus with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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