What are the symptoms of tetanus?
Disease description:
A friend of mine was scratched by a nail and is now experiencing muscle pain, but we are unsure whether it might be tetanus. Could you please tell me, Doctor, what are the symptoms of tetanus?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Lei
The symptoms of tetanus include muscle rigidity and spasms, high fever and excessive sweating, difficulty breathing, prodromal symptoms, and muscle pain.
1. Muscle rigidity and spasms: The muscles most commonly affected first are the jaw muscles,表现为difficulty in opening the mouth and lockjaw.
2. High fever and excessive sweating: Patients with tetanus may develop a fever, with body temperature ranging between 38°C and 39°C. Excessive sweating accompanies the fever and is a manifestation of the systemic inflammatory response.
3. Difficulty breathing: Tetanus can cause spasms of the respiratory muscles, leading to difficulty breathing, a sensation of suffocation, and oxygen deficiency. In severe cases, patients may develop airway obstruction, which can be life-threatening.
4. Prodromal symptoms: Patients may experience some early symptoms such as general malaise, fatigue, dizziness, headache, weak chewing, and localized muscle stiffness. These symptoms usually lack specificity and can be easily overlooked.
5. Muscle pain: Patients with tetanus may experience muscle pain, especially in the muscles around the wound site. The pain may intensify as the condition worsens.
If symptoms related to a history of trauma appear, especially typical symptoms such as muscle rigidity and spasms, immediate medical attention is necessary for early detection and treatment of tetanus.
