Tetanus in Grand Rapids, MI: What You Need to Know

Tetanus, often called “lockjaw,” is a serious, sometimes fatal infection that affects the nervous system and causes painful muscle spasms and breathing problems. The bacteria that cause tetanus, Clostridium tetani, live in soil, dust, and animal feces—environments common throughout West Michigan, including rural areas around Grand Rapids.

When these bacteria enter the body through a cut, puncture, or other break in the skin, they produce a toxin that attacks the nerves controlling your muscles.

Because of routine vaccination, tetanus is now uncommon in the United States and in Michigan. However, cases still occur, especially in people who are not fully vaccinated or who have not had booster shots.

How Tetanus Spreads

Tetanus is not spread from person to person. You can only get tetanus if the bacteria enter your body through broken skin. Common sources include:

  • Soil and garden dirt (including around homes and farms in Kent County)
  • Animal feces (manure, barnyards, pet areas)
  • Dust and rusty or dirty metal objects

Tetanus‑Prone Wounds

Any break in the skin can potentially allow tetanus bacteria to enter, but some wounds are higher risk:

  • Deep puncture wounds (for example, from a nail, screw, or thorn)
  • Cuts from dirty or rusty objects
  • Wounds contaminated with soil, manure, or dust
  • Animal or human bites
  • Open (compound) fractures
  • Burns and crush injuries
  • Areas of dead or severely damaged tissue
  • Frostbite injuries (more common in Michigan’s cold winters)

Even small wounds that seem too minor for medical attention can lead to tetanus if they are contaminated.

Who Is at Risk in Grand Rapids?

Anyone who is not fully vaccinated can get tetanus. You may be at higher risk if you:

  • Have never received a tetanus vaccine
  • Are unsure of your vaccination history
  • Have not had a tetanus booster in the last 10 years
  • Are an older adult who may have missed boosters
  • Have an immunocompromising condition (for example, certain cancers, HIV, or medicines that weaken the immune system)
  • Work with soil, animals, or in dusty environments (farming, landscaping, construction, gardening)
  • Inject drugs
  • Have diabetes or poor wound healing
  • Travel to countries with limited access to healthcare

In West Michigan, people who work outdoors, hunt, fish, or do home and yard projects are at particular risk if they are not up to date on tetanus shots.

Symptoms of Tetanus

Symptoms usually begin 3 days to 3 weeks after infection. Most cases start around 10 days after the injury. In general, the shorter the time between injury and symptoms, the more severe the disease tends to be.

Early Signs

  • Stiffness or pain in the jaw muscles (“lockjaw”)
  • Difficulty opening the mouth
  • Stiffness in the neck, shoulders, or back
  • Trouble swallowing

Other Symptoms

  • Painful muscle spasms, often starting in the jaw and neck and then spreading to the body
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Painful convulsions (seizures or “fits”)
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Sweating and fever
  • Changes in blood pressure (very high or very low)

Complications of Tetanus

Tetanus is a life-threatening disease, even with hospital care. Possible complications include:

  • Pneumonia
  • Broken bones from severe muscle spasms
  • Respiratory failure (inability to breathe on your own)
  • Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
  • Heart attack
  • Dangerous changes in blood pressure
  • Death

People who recover from tetanus do not become immune. You can get tetanus again if you are not vaccinated, so vaccination is still needed after recovery.

When to Seek Emergency Care in Grand Rapids

Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Department Immediately If:

  • You have difficulty breathing
  • You have severe muscle spasms or convulsions
  • Your jaw locks or you cannot open your mouth
  • You have trouble swallowing or speaking

In Grand Rapids, emergency care is available at:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital – Downtown Grand Rapids
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
  • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
  • Mercy Health locations in the Grand Rapids area

Seek Prompt Medical Care for Any Tetanus‑Prone Wound If:

  • You are not fully vaccinated, or
  • You have not had a tetanus booster in the last 5 years, especially if the wound is deep or dirty

A doctor will diagnose tetanus based on your symptoms, your wound history, and your vaccination record. Laboratory tests are not very reliable for confirming tetanus, so diagnosis is mostly clinical.

Tetanus Treatment

Tetanus is treated in the hospital, often in an intensive care unit. Treatment may include:

  • Life support, such as a breathing machine (ventilator) if you cannot breathe on your own
  • Wound care to remove dead tissue and reduce bacterial growth
  • Tetanus immune globulin (TIG) to neutralize the toxin
  • Antibiotics to kill the bacteria
  • Medicines to control muscle spasms and pain
  • Careful monitoring of breathing, heart function, and blood pressure

Because people can be infected again, tetanus vaccination is recommended as soon as medically appropriate, even if you are being treated for tetanus.

In Michigan, tetanus cases are reportable to the state health department. Local agencies, including the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health, use this information to track trends and identify possible sources of infection.

Preventing Tetanus in Grand Rapids

1. Good Wound Care

Proper wound care is especially important in Michigan, where outdoor activities, yard work, and winter injuries (including frostbite and falls) are common.

For all wounds:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol‑based hand rub before caring for the wound.
  • Rinse the wound thoroughly with clean running water.
  • Gently wash the area with mild soap.
  • Remove dirt, debris, and foreign material if possible.
  • Cover with a clean, dry bandage.

Seek medical attention for:

  • Deep or puncture wounds
  • Wounds contaminated with soil, manure, or foreign objects
  • Animal or human bites
  • Large, deep, or heavily bleeding wounds
  • Burns, crush injuries, or frostbite
  • Any wound if you are not sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date

2. Immunization Against Tetanus

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent tetanus. In the United States, tetanus vaccines are given as combined vaccines, such as:

  • DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) – for infants and young children
  • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) – for older children, teens, and adults
  • Td (tetanus, diphtheria) – for booster doses in adults

These vaccines are widely available in Grand Rapids at:

  • Primary care offices and pediatric practices
  • Hospital‑affiliated clinics (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
  • Urgent care centers
  • Many local pharmacies
  • Kent County Health Department clinics

Children

In the U.S., children typically receive DTaP at:

  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 15–18 months
  • 4–6 years

Adolescents

  • One dose of Tdap at age 11–12 years

Adults

  • If you have never been vaccinated, you need a 3‑dose primary series of tetanus‑containing vaccine.
  • If you have been vaccinated before:
    • A tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) every 10 years is recommended.
    • A booster may be recommended earlier (if it has been more than 5 years) after a high‑risk, tetanus‑prone wound.

Pregnancy

For each pregnancy, a single dose of Tdap is recommended:

  • Ideally between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy
  • It can be given up until delivery if needed

This protects the pregnant person and also helps protect the newborn from whooping cough (pertussis). People who are breastfeeding can safely receive Tdap.

Travel and Special Situations

You may need more frequent boosters (every 5–10 years) if:

  • You travel to countries where access to healthcare is limited
  • Your job or lifestyle involves frequent exposure to soil, animals, or injuries

Your immunization needs depend on your health, age, lifestyle, and occupation. Talk with your healthcare provider in Grand Rapids about your specific situation.

Local Tetanus and Vaccination Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you live in the Grand Rapids or Kent County area and have questions about tetanus or vaccines, you can:

  • Contact your primary care provider or pediatrician
  • Visit a clinic affiliated with:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
    • Mercy Health
  • Reach out to the Kent County Health Department for information on:
    • Low‑cost or free vaccines
    • Immunization clinics
    • Catch‑up vaccination for children, teens, and adults
  • Check Grand Rapids Public Health and Kent County Health Department websites for current vaccination schedules and community clinics

If you are unsure of your tetanus vaccination status, your doctor or local health department can help review your records and recommend any needed boosters.

Key Points About Tetanus in Grand Rapids

  • Tetanus bacteria live in soil, dust, and animal feces and enter the body through cuts or wounds.
  • Tetanus is now uncommon in the United States and Michigan because of vaccination, but it can still occur.
  • Anyone who is not fully vaccinated is at risk, especially older adults and people with tetanus‑prone wounds.
  • Symptoms usually start 3 days to 3 weeks after infection and often begin with jaw stiffness (“lockjaw”).
  • Tetanus is not spread from person to person.
  • Immediate wound care and staying up to date on tetanus vaccines are the best ways to prevent infection.
  • People with symptoms of tetanus should seek prompt medical care at a hospital; call 911 if you have trouble breathing.

If you live in the Grand Rapids area and have a high‑risk wound or are unsure about your tetanus vaccination status, contact your healthcare provider or the Kent County Health Department as soon as possible. Prompt care and vaccination can be lifesaving.