Locations:
Search IconSearch

How to Protect Yourself Against a Tetanus Infection

You can get it from more than just rusty nails

Woman working in garden

When the sun is shining, you can’t wait to get out and work in the garden. But before you get your hands dirty, ask yourself a question. When was your last tetanus shot?

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

A tetanus infection starts when spores of the Clostridium tetani bacterium enter the body through broken skin. Most people link tetanus with an injury like stepping on a rusty nail.

But tetanus is everywhere: in soil, dust and animal waste. You can also get it from insect bites, animal bites, scratches or a tiny crack in the skin. Some cases come from scratches or small wounds that happen while gardening.

Because there’s no known cure for tetanus, it’s important to be aware of how it can happen, what it does to your body and make sure your tetanus booster is up to date.

Tetanus doesn’t always involve visible punctures

According to the CDC, it doesn’t take much for tetanus to enter the body. Something as innocent as a scrape can leave enough of a break in the skin for it to invade.

Infectious disease specialist Susan Rehm, MD notes that patients sometimes don’t even know they’ve hurt themselves in a way that can result in a case of tetanus. In one case, she says, a patient contracted the disease via a splinter in the pad of his thumb with no visible puncture wounds.

Fortunately, that patient survived but only after many months in intensive care. Not all patients are so lucky. According to the CDC, around 11% of tetanus infections prove to be fatal.

Advertisement

What Is Tetanus and How Do You Get It?

How tetanus attacks your body

Tetanus is hard to diagnose early on because so much of the damage happens internally. The spores of the tetanus bacteria enter the bloodstream through a break in the skin and then thrive and germinate inside the body. The germinating spores produce a toxin that disrupts the nervous system, first affecting the nerves nearest to the break in the skin.

From there, the infection spreads to the spinal cord and brain. Within five to ten days, tetanus shows its most frightening symptom: lockjaw.

The patient’s neck stiffens and there is difficulty swallowing. The abdomen grows rigid. As the toxins spread, general muscle spasms begin. Additional symptoms can include headaches, fever and seizures.

Once tetanus is underway, there is no stopping it. Tetanus can only be managed, not cured. But the good news is how easily preventable tetanus is.

The best prevention

Fortunately, a highly effective vaccine delivers full immunity from tetanus. The vaccine is given in early childhood through a series of shots and subsequent boosters. Many people don’t know that teens and adults need to receive booster shots every 10 years to maintain the needed level of protection.

Dr. Rehm advises everyone to receive at least one dose of Tdap, the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine that also protects against whooping cough (pertussis). Adults 19 years of age and older should receive Tdap or Td (tetanus and diphtheria vaccine without the pertussis component) every 10 years.

Another reason for adults to stay up to date with Tdap immunization is to protect infants they may come into contact with against whooping cough. Pregnant people are also advised to get Tdap with each pregnancy.

If you’re working in the garden, be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands from scrapes and to prevent possible infections via already present breaks in the skin.

Of course, it’s also important to practice good, safe wound care. Even if it’s a cut or scrape that seems like no big deal, be sure to wash the wound with soap and water and care for it properly, including bandaging, to prevent infection.

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Glass of water on table, with medicine bottle of purple capsules, and capsules on table
November 27, 2024/Infectious Disease
Can Melatonin Help Treat COVID-19?

Studies have shown promising results, but additional research is needed

Older male reclining on couch, blowing nose, with cold medications and products on coffee table
What’s the Difference Between Walking Pneumonia and Pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is milder and doesn’t always require medication — but it’s also highly contagious

Healthcare provider examining person's throat in office, with oversized germs around
November 21, 2024/Infectious Disease
How Laryngitis and COVID-19 Can Impact Your Voice

Infection and inflammation can cause you to lose your voice and have other voice changes until you’re fully healed

Person lying stomach down on bed, head on crossed arms, staring into the distance
Having COVID-19 May Increase Your Risk of Depression

A COVID-19 infection can bring on depression or anxiety months after physical symptoms go away

Person in mask and medical coveralls handling COVID-19 vials with gloved hands
November 14, 2024/Infectious Disease
COVID-19 Variants: What’s New and Why We’re Still Concerned

Just like the flu, COVID-19 continues to evolve every year with new and smarter variants

Scientist/lab tech in lab wearing mask and white coat working, with test tubes on counter
November 11, 2024/Infectious Disease
FLiRT COVID Variants: What To Know

The latest omicron subvariants carry specific mutations that may allow the SARS-CoV-2 virus to be better at evading immune protection

Male sitting on edge of bed with head in hands, distressed, with female sitting in bed, with germs floating around
November 7, 2024/Infectious Disease
Can COVID-19 Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Research shows the virus can affect your ability to get or maintain an erection

Hand feeling the temperature on the forehead of a toddler sitting on a couch
October 29, 2024/Children's Health
RSV vs. Pneumonia: Sorting out Your Child’s Fever and Cough

RSV can lead your child to develop pneumonia and have trouble breathing

Trending Topics

Person sitting on floor at night next to bed in deep thought, with partner sleeping in bed
Understanding Mental Load: What It Is and How It Affects You

When you get bogged down with mental tasks, you can experience mood changes, sleeplessness and more

Hands holding two different kinds of pain medications separated by a white line
Can You Take Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Together?

You can alternate these OTCs to help with pain management and fever reduction

Smiling person with headphones on, sweeping floor in living room
Understanding Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT Exercise)

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis is all the activity we do that’s not technically exercise but is still important to your health and well-being

Ad