Is there such a thing as mild tetanus?

Question

below are my previous question details. What I really want to know is should I be concerned? At times I am not even aware of the problem but it is becoming increasingly difficult to eat. I am noticing problems on my left side. but nothing major. I do think the body can heal itself and I don't want to seem paranoid. Should I seek medical attention or wait a while??

"I cut myself preparing Valentine's Day flowers at a florist and recieved 3 stiches. I did get a Tetanus vaccine at the ER.

3 days later I had problems eating from a stiff/painfull jaw. This problem is intermitant in severity but always present and eating seams to be a problem.

The injection site is still painfull a week later. and my eye is twitching occasionally.... Are these normal after a tetanus shot?

Thank you... "

Answer 1

You seem to be doing fine; what your body may be going through is the lag phase of the tetanus anti-toxin given to you upon admission to the ER, since your immune system is making antibodies for the pseudo-toxin given to you.

If you do have tetanus, which means the authentic tetanus toxin is in your body, it would have presented much earlier than you being able to type and ask a question, as you will be experiencing complete muscle rigidity and spasmic epileptic episodes/paralysis, even flexure of your back (opisthotonos). A stiff of painful jaw is different from complete lock-jaw, which is another hallmark symptom of tetanus.

The pain in the site where you get injected is normal, since some people get tense prior to the needle penetrating your skin, which makes it more painful once the needle does go through. Eye-twitiching could be caused by stress and not really a sign of tetanus nor nor the tetanus shot.

So, you are ok.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

none of these are symptomsof tetanus so stop worrying,and the injection site does stay painfull sometimes