Tetanus risk factors

Risk factors for the development of a tetanus infection include contaminated wounds, punctured wounds, crushing, burns and working or living in poor hygiene conditions.^[1][2]

Risk factors for developing a tetanus infection include:^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

• Inadequate immunization
  • Never immunized for tetanus
  • No booster after 10 years of last dose
• Presence of a puncture wound
• Simultaneous infection with other pathogens
• Penetrating injury with a foreign body such as a splinter or a nail
• Untreated necrotic tissue
• Crushing injuries
• Burns
• Limited ischemia
• Hiking in bat caves
• Sports injuries
• Road side accidents

Injuries that have been associated with an increased risk of tetanus include:^[1][3]

• Animal bites
• Different types of dental procedures
• Wounds from surgeries
• Infection of umbilical stump in neonates
• Septic abortion
• Male circumcision (specially in sub Saharan Africa)
• Crush injuries
• Gunshot wounds
• Puncture wounds
• Burns
• Foot ulcers in diabetic patients
• Ear infections
• Compound fractures
• Intravenous drug use
• Self tattooing

Rarely, the following conditions may increase the risk of developing tetanus:^[6]

• Intramuscular injections
• IV drug abuse
• Chronic sores
• Dental infections
• Superficial clean wounds
• Insect bites
• Immunocompromised (cephalic tetanus)

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