A shorter incubation period signals a more heavily infected wound. Also, tetanus-infected wounds take longer to incubate when they are father from the central nervous system. Seek urgent treatment if you experience tetanus symptoms within fewer than eight days of exposure. On their own, a headache and a slightly stiff jaw should not terrify you. This could mean a lot of things. However, it wouldn’t hurt to check with a doctor if you’re worried.
Painful hardening of the abdominal muscles Spasms in the jaw, chest, and abdomen. These spasms can cause painful, hyper-extended back arching, or opisthotonos. Sweating and fever Irregular breathing and heartbeat
The mortality rate is highest in unvaccinated people and people over 60 years old. Your chances might be better if you’re vaccinated, you have a strong immune system, and you’re relatively young. This does not mean that you shouldn’t be worried!
You do not need to wait for severe symptoms to seek treatment. If you have not been vaccinated and you think that you’ve been exposed to tetanus bacteria: consider getting the antitoxin.
The incubation period varies according to the distance the infected wound is from the central nervous system. For instance: an infected cut on the finger will have a longer incubation period than a cut on the neck. Be quick to treat deep, penetrating wounds. The bigger and more severe the injury, the easier it will be for C. tetani to enter your body. [7] X Research source
In the United States, nearly all modern cases of tetanus occur in adults who were not vaccinated as children, or who have not received a vaccination in the past ten years. [8] X Research source
