Tetanus risk factors

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Michael Maddaleni, B.S.; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Usama Talib, BSc, MD [2]

Overview

Clostridium tetani spores can be found in various locations including manure, soil and dust. Inhabitants of developing countries are at a higher risk of acquiring tetanus because of lack of tetanus vaccination and less focus on general hygiene. Various risk factors for tetanus include contaminated wounds, punctured wounds, crushing, burns and working in unhygienic environment.^[1]^[2]

Risk Factors

Risk factors for developing a tetanus infection include:^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]

Inadequate immunization
- Never immunized for tetanus
- No booster after 10 years of last dose
Presence of a puncture wound
Simultaneous infection with other pathogens
Penetrating injury with a foreign body such as a splinter or a nail
Untreated necrotic tissue
Crushing injuries
Burns
Limited ischemia
Hiking in bat caves
Sports injuries
Road side accidents

Injuries related to Tetanus

Injuries that have been associated with an increased risk of tetanus include:^[1]^[3]

Animal bites
Different types of dental procedures
Wounds from surgeries
Infection of umbilical stump in neonates
Septic abortion
Male circumcision (specially in sub Saharan Africa)
Crush injuries
Gunshot wounds
Puncture wounds
Burns
Foot ulcers in diabetic patients
Ear infections
Compound fractures
Intravenous drug use
Self tattooing

Rare Conditions leading to Tetanus

Rarely, the following conditions may increase the risk of developing tetanus:^[6]

Intramuscular injections
IV drug abuse
Chronic sores
Dental infections
Superficial clean wounds
Insect bites
Immunocompromised (cephalic tetanus)

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 "Tetanus | About Tetanus Disease | Lockjaw | CDC".
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Del Pilar Morales E, Bertrán Pasarell J, Cardona Rodriguez Z, Almodovar Mercado JC, Figueroa Navarro A (2014). "Cephalic tetanus following penetrating eye trauma: a case report". Bol Asoc Med P R. 106 (2): 25–9. PMID 25065047.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Grund JM, Toledo C, Davis SM, Ridzon R, Moturi E, Scobie H; et al. (2016). "Notes from the Field: Tetanus Cases After Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention--Eastern and Southern Africa, 2012-2015". MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 65 (2): 36–7. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6502a5. PMID 26797167.
↑ Robert A. Felter & Lauren E. Zinns (2015). "Cephalic Tetanus in an Immunized Teenager: An Unusual Case Report". Pediatric emergency care. 31 (7): 511–513. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000000360. PMID 25853723. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
↑ Anisha Doshi, Clare Warrell, Dima Dahdaleh & Dimitri Kullmann (2014). "Just a graze? Cephalic tetanus presenting as a stroke mimic". Practical neurology. 14 (1): 39–41. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2013-000541. PMID 24052566. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
↑ Robert A. Felter & Lauren E. Zinns (2015). "Cephalic Tetanus in an Immunized Teenager: An Unusual Case Report". Pediatric emergency care. 31 (7): 511–513. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000000360. PMID 25853723. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

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[urlTetanus_|_About_Tetanus_Disease_|_Lockjaw_|_CDC-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 "Tetanus | About Tetanus Disease | Lockjaw | CDC".

[pmid25065047-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Del Pilar Morales E, Bertrán Pasarell J, Cardona Rodriguez Z, Almodovar Mercado JC, Figueroa Navarro A (2014). "Cephalic tetanus following penetrating eye trauma: a case report". Bol Asoc Med P R. 106 (2): 25–9. PMID 25065047.

[pmid26797167-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Grund JM, Toledo C, Davis SM, Ridzon R, Moturi E, Scobie H; et al. (2016). "Notes from the Field: Tetanus Cases After Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention--Eastern and Southern Africa, 2012-2015". MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 65 (2): 36–7. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6502a5. PMID 26797167.

[4] Robert A. Felter & Lauren E. Zinns (2015). "Cephalic Tetanus in an Immunized Teenager: An Unusual Case Report". Pediatric emergency care. 31 (7): 511–513. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000000360. PMID 25853723. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

[5] Anisha Doshi, Clare Warrell, Dima Dahdaleh & Dimitri Kullmann (2014). "Just a graze? Cephalic tetanus presenting as a stroke mimic". Practical neurology. 14 (1): 39–41. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2013-000541. PMID 24052566. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

[6] Robert A. Felter & Lauren E. Zinns (2015). "Cephalic Tetanus in an Immunized Teenager: An Unusual Case Report". Pediatric emergency care. 31 (7): 511–513. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000000360. PMID 25853723. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

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