Tetanus infection can occur when you get stuck with a nail without a tetanus shot. Nails may contain rust or contaminated metal products such as soil, and getting stuck with a nail is an open wound that is susceptible to invasion by tetanus bacilli. Tetanus infection may occur if tetanus antitoxin is not administered promptly. Tetanus infection is an acute infectious disease in which Clostridium tetani invades the body through a skin or mucous membrane wound, grows and multiplies in an oxygen-poor environment, and produces toxins that cause paroxysmal muscle spasms. Patients infected with tetanus may experience symptoms such as clenched teeth, paroxysmal spasms and tonic spasms. Tetanus is an extremely serious disease, usually with a rapid onset and a high mortality rate, but it can be prevented by vaccination. If you are stabbed by a nail, you should be vaccinated against tetanus as soon as possible. Especially patients with deep wounds and serious contamination are at risk of contracting tetanus and should be vaccinated in time to avoid serious effects and even life-threatening situations. Once stabbed by a nail, you should go to the hospital in time and actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment.