The average time from infection to appearance of signs and symptoms (incubation period) is 10 days. The incubation period can range from 3 to 21 days. The most common type of tetanus is called generalized tetanus. Signs and symptoms begin gradually and then progressively worsen over two weeks. They usually start at the jaw and progress downward on the body. Signs and symptoms of generalized tetanus include:  Painful muscle spasms and stiff, immovable muscles (muscle rigidity) in your jaw Tension of muscles around your lips, sometimes producing a persistent grin Painful spasms and rigidity in your neck muscles Difficulty swallowing Rigid abdominal muscles  Progression of tetanus results in repeated painful, seizure-like spasms that last for several minutes (generalized spasms). Usually, the neck and back arch, the legs become rigid, the arms are drawn up to the body, and the fists are clenched. Muscle rigidity in the neck and abdomen may cause breathing difficulties. These severe spasms may be triggered by minor events that stimulate the senses — a loud sound, a physical touch, a draft or light. As the disease progresses, other signs and symptoms may include:  High blood pressure Low blood pressure Rapid heart rate Fever Extreme sweating  Localized tetanus This uncommon form of tetanus results in muscles spasms near the site of a wound. While it's usually a less severe form of disease, it can progress to generalized tetanus. Cephalic tetanus This rare form of tetanus results from a head wound. It results in weakened muscles in the face and spasms of the jaw muscles. It also can progress to generalized tetanus.
average time infection appearance signs symptoms (incubation period) 10 days  incubation period can range 3 21 days  common type tetanus called generalized tetanus  signs symptoms begin gradually progressively worsen weeks  start jaw progress body  signs symptoms generalized tetanus include:  painful muscle spasms stiff  immovable muscles (muscle rigidity) jaw tension muscles lips  producing persistent grin painful spasms rigidity neck muscles difficulty swallowing rigid abdominal muscles  progression tetanus results repeated painful  seizure-like spasms last minutes (generalized spasms)  usually  neck back arch  legs rigid  arms drawn body  fists clenched  muscle rigidity neck abdomen may cause breathing difficulties  severe spasms may triggered minor events stimulate senses — loud sound  physical touch  draft light  disease progresses  signs symptoms may include:  high blood pressure low blood pressure rapid heart rate fever extreme sweating  localized tetanus uncommon form tetanus results muscles spasms near site wound  it's severe form disease  can progress generalized tetanus  cephalic tetanus rare form tetanus results head wound  results weakened muscles face spasms jaw muscles  can progress generalized tetanus
tetanus