Level falls below protection after 10 years without booster
Patient Discharge Instructions
copy discharge instructions
Tetanus discharge and follow-up instructions
You were treated for tetanus, a serious bacterial infection causing muscle spasms
Tetanus is caused by a toxin made by bacteria found in soil, dust, and animal feces
It is not contagious from person to person
Complete your tetanus vaccination series
Your doctor has started your tetanus vaccination
You need additional doses to complete the series: at 4-8 weeks and 6-12 months
Get a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years for life
Continue all prescribed medications
Take the full antibiotic course as directed
Do not stop medications early even if you feel well
Physical rehabilitation
Begin physiotherapy as soon as muscle spasms resolve
Recovery of normal muscle control may take several weeks
Attend all scheduled physiotherapy appointments
Wound care
Keep any wounds clean and dry
Any future wound, burn, or puncture: seek medical care promptly
For future injuries: tell healthcare providers you recently had tetanus
Return to emergency department immediately if you develop
Jaw tightness or inability to open mouth
Muscle stiffness or painful spasms
Difficulty swallowing or speaking
Breathing difficulty
Sweating attacks, racing or irregular heartbeat
Fever above 38.5 C
Follow-up appointments
Primary care within 1-2 weeks of discharge
Infectious disease follow-up as arranged
Psychotherapy referral if needed after prolonged ICU stay
References
Guidelines and key sources
Yen LM, Thwaites CL. Tetanus. Lancet. 2019;393(10181):1657-1668
Comprehensive review of pathophysiology, management, and outcomes
PMID 30935736
Sudarshan R, Sayo AR, Renner DR, et al. Tetanus: Recognition and Management. Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2025
Updated clinical review including autonomic management
PMID 40543524
Ergonul O, Kolsuz S, Figueroa JP. Tetanus. Lancet. 2026
Current epidemiology and treatment guidelines
PMID 41544646
Zhou S, Malani P. What Is Tetanus? JAMA. 2026
Evidence-based clinical summary for practitioners
Pham OKN, Tran BN, Duong MC, et al. Cardiovascular Events in Tetanus. Open Forum Infectious Diseases. 2023
572-patient cohort; Takotsubo most common cardiac complication days 5-20
PMID 37983924
An Y, Guo Y, Li L, et al. Management and Outcome of Adult Generalized Tetanus in a Chinese Tertiary Hospital. Frontiers in Public Health. 2023
Observational study of ICU management and outcomes
PMID 38425467
Huang J, Cai E, Ding W, et al. Management and Outcome of Adult Generalized Tetanus. Frontiers in Public Health. 2025
Recent retrospective study confirming 22-30 day hospital stay
PMID 42077948
Vaccination guidelines
CDC ACIP recommendations for tetanus vaccination
Td booster every 10 years for all adults
Tdap preferred for adults who have not received it previously
Tdap in third trimester of each pregnancy
Maternal antibody transfer protects neonate
Wound prophylaxis algorithm
Clean minor wounds: Td if >10 years since last booster
Tetanus-prone wounds: Td if >5 years since last booster plus hTIG if unvaccinated or <3 doses
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.