Individuals who are not vaccinated against tetanus carry a risk of tetanus infection, even after minor injuries. The primary risk factors for developing tetanus are as follows:

* Wounds requiring medical intervention that have not been surgically cleaned and disinfected for more than six hours.
* Puncture or penetrating wounds.
* Wounds containing necrotic (dead) tissue.
* Wounds showing clinically serious signs of infection.
* Wounds contaminated with materials potentially harboring Clostridium tetani bacteria, such as soil or manure.
* Burns, frostbite, and gunshot wounds.