[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/how-you-get-tetanus\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/how-you-get-tetanus\/","headline":"How Do You Get Tetanus?","name":"How Do You Get Tetanus?","description":"When you fall on the trail or cut your hand on a rusty swing set, no matter how minor the wound, you should act quickly to protect yourself from tetanus.","datePublished":"2017-04-24","dateModified":"2021-01-12","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/emergency-medicine","name":"Trauma & Emergency Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/emergency-medicine","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/trauma-emergency-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/how-do-you-get-tetanus-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/how-do-you-get-tetanus-1.jpg","height":324,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/how-you-get-tetanus\/","about":["Safety"],"wordCount":584,"keywords":["open wounds","safety","tetanus","tetanus shot","wound care"],"articleBody":"Updated January 12, 2021As you spend time in the great outdoors, you should be aware of the risks of contracting tetanus.Tetanus is a dangerous nerve condition caused by the bacteria Clostridium tetani.You can get a tetanus infection when certain substances \u2014 such as soil or fecal matter \u2014 enter cuts and scrapes on your body. This can cause problems with movement and brain and nervous system functions.RELATED: Ouch! Why Does My Arm Hurt After a Shot?So, when you fall on the trail or cut your hand on a rusty swing set you shouldn\u2019t ignore it.No matter how minor the wound, you should act quickly to protect yourself from tetanus.Tetanus CausesMany people associate tetanus with rusty objects \u2014 like stepping on a rusty nail or cutting yourself on a sharp piece of metal.But the bacterium actually lives in soil, dust, and manure. Any activity that brings you in contact with these substances carries a risk of tetanus infection.RELATED: Vaccination Schedule for BabiesEven very small open wounds \u2014 as small as a needle prick \u2014 could cause tetanus, though it’s more likely with large cuts.Other common ways you can get a tetanus infection include:Animal bites or scratchesBug bitesSplintersDeep burnsBody piercings and tattoosYour risk of tetanus infection increases if the puncture becomes dirty.Keep in mind \u2014 you can’t get tetanus from another person, so there’s no risk of transmitting the disease to someone else.Who’s at Risk?The best way to lower your risk of contracting tetanus is by staying up-to-date on your tetanus vaccine, which requires a booster shot every ten years. Everyone who has not had their tetanus vaccine is vulnerable to this condition.The following factors can put you at a higher risk of getting tetanus if you’re unvaccinated:Occupations such as farming, firefighting, and constructionOld ageOutdoor hobbies such as hiking, gardening, or campingHistory of diabetes or immunosuppressionTetanus SymptomsTetanus impacts the nerves that control your muscles, so you may experience difficulty swallowing, or feel stiffness in your jaw,\u00a0abdomen, chest, back, and\u00a0neck. Here are some of the most common symptoms of tetanus:Muscles spasmingStiff feeling or achey musclesVertigoInvoluntary eye movement or blurred visionSudden weakness in the arms or legsDouble visionLockjawYou may be familiar with tetanus’ nickname lockjaw, which stems from the painful muscle contractions in the jaw and neck that the condition can create.If you start feeling muscle stiffness or having trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care.How to Prevent TetanusIf it’s been more than 10 years since you last had a tetanus shot and you cut yourself with metal, find immediate medical attention.For those who have recently had a vaccine, such as the DTaP or TD boosters:Clean the wound with water and soap, if available.Put on antibiotic ointment.Place a bandage over the wound to prevent dirt or other bacteria from entering.If your cut is especially deep or you believe you’re at an increased risk of contracting tetanus, contact your doctor right away.Tetanus TreatmentTetanus can be treated with a variety of therapies and medications, and your doctor will choose a treatment method based on the severity of your symptoms.Some common treatment options for tetanus include:Cleaning the infected wound to cleanout the source of the bacteriaAntibioticsMuscle relaxers to reduce muscle spasmsA tetanus vaccine may be given in coordination with treatment"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How Do You Get Tetanus?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/how-you-get-tetanus\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]