Breathing and the heart rate usually increase, and reflexes may be exaggerated. Tetanus also can be limited to a group of muscles near the wound. Spasms near the wound may persist for weeks. Although Clostridium tetani can sometimes be cultured from a swab sample taken from the wound, negative culture results don't exclude a diagnosis of tetanus. Tetanus has a worldwide mortality rate of 50 percent.
Death is most likely in the very young and very old and in injecting drug users.
The prognosis is grave if symptoms worsen rapidly or treatment is delayed. Prevention and Treatment Preventing tetanus by vaccination is far better than treating tetanus once it develops. Adults should receive tetanus boosters every 5 to 10 years. A person who suffers a wound and who has had a tetanus booster in the past 5 years doesn't need any further vaccination. However, a person who hasn't had a booster dose in the past 5 years receives one as soon as possible after an injury.