This makes it difficult for one to open their mouth or swallow. It sometimes impairs the laryngeal muscles which causes difficulty in breathing. These spasms can last for ten to fourteen days. The spasms are intense, rapid, painful, and powerful contractions. Tetany or muscular seizures can lead to tears in muscles or fractures.
Recovery can take a month or more.
Paralysis, head wounds, brain damage, hypertension, abnormal heartbeats, coma, infection, respiratory arrest, heart failure, pneumonia, and fractures are highly serious complications that can occur with tetanus. Penicillin destroys the toxin. Surgery can enhance its eradication. Tetanus immune globulin neutralizes tetanospasmin. Muscle relaxants like diazepam can alleviate the muscle spasms.