Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani. This bacteria can attack the body and cause severe muscle contractions. If you have tetanus, you may experience the following symptoms: - Jaw cramping - Jerking - Seizures - Muscle spasms - Muscle stiffness - Muscle pain - Headache - Changes in blood pressure - Changes in heart rate - Fever - Sweating - Abdominal pain - Back pain - Difficulty swallowing In severe, untreated tetanus cases, serious health conditions can develop including: - Tightening of the vocal cords - Broken bones - Aspiration pneumonia - Breathing difficulty - Pulmonary embolism - Infections - Death To prevent serious tetanus complications, make sure you seek urgent care right away. Tetanus is considered a medical emergency and can be treated with a special medicine called human tetanus immune globulin. Additionally, you can be treated with certain antibiotics, tetanus shots, aggressive wound care, and drugs to help stop muscle spasms.