The patient who has survived tetanus is not immune and, unless immunized, is susceptible to a second attack. Recurrent tetanus in the same patient has been reported. Apparently a sublethal amount of tetanus toxin is not sufficient to provide an adequate antigenic stimulus for production of active immunity. The diagnosis of tetanus is a clinical one, with bacteriological confirmation sometimes possible. The disease proceeds with fever, sweating, and oliguria while the mind remains clear.
Death usually occurs as a result of respiratory arrest during painful generalized convulsions.
Toxemia, pneumonia secondary to aspiration, hyperpyrexia, and cardiac failure are other causes of death. The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.