• Painful muscle spasms and stiff, immovable muscles (muscle rigidity) in your jaw
• Tension of muscles around your lips, sometimes producing a persistent grin
• Painful spasms and rigidity in your neck muscles
• Difficulty swallowing
• Rigid abdominal muscles
Progression of tetanus results in repeated painful, seizure-like spasms that last for several minutes (generalized spasms). Usually, the neck and back arch, the legs become rigid, the arms are drawn up to the body, and the fists are clenched. Muscle rigidity in the neck and abdomen may cause breathing difficulties.
These severe spasms may be triggered by minor events that stimulate the senses — a loud sound, a physical touch, a draft or light.
As the disease progresses, other signs and symptoms may include:
•High blood pressure
•Low blood pressure
•Rapid heart rate
•Fever
•Extreme sweating
Localized tetanus:
This uncommon form of tetanus results in muscles spasms near the site of a wound. While it's usually a less severe form of disease, it can progress to generalised tetanus.
Cephalic tetanus:
This rare form of tetanus results from a head wound. It results in weakened muscles in the face and spasms of the jaw muscles. It also can progress to generalised tetanus.
Courtesy: Mayo Clinic
