Tetanus: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate tetanus (lockjaw):

Leading symptoms

  • Painful tonic – persistent muscle spasms, usually starting at the temporomandibular joint – trismus – lockjaw.
  • Clonic – twitching muscle spasms.
  • Rigidity (muscle stiffness) – confined to one area or spreading from the shoulder region.
  • Amplification of cramps under the influence of external stimuli.

Associated symptoms

Disturbances of the autonomic nervous system

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Tachycardia – heartbeat too fast: > 100 beats per minute.
  • Hyperhidrosis – increased sweating.
  • Hypotension – low blood pressure
  • Bradycardia – too slow heartbeat: < 60 beats per minute.
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia

Other symptoms

  • Drinking weakness in infants
  • Dyspnea (shortness of breath) – due to stiffening of the respiratory muscles.
  • Dysphagia (dysphagia)
  • Fever