Because established tetanus is often fatal, even with expert treatment, prevention is of paramount importance. The two major means of preventing tetanus are
immunization and wound care. There are two types of immunization for any disease -- active and passive. Active immunization is when
vaccines are given to a person so that the immune system can make antibodies to kill the infecting germ. In the U.S., health officials recommend active immunization of infants and children with DTaP --
diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (whooping cough) -- vaccine at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, 6
months, 15 to 18 months, and again between the ages of 4 and 6. Children should next get a tetanus vaccine using the Tdap vaccine at age 11 or 12. Any adult who has not had a tetanus immunization within 10 years should get a single dose of Tdap. After Tdap, the Td vaccine
is recommended every 10 years. There is evidence that the tetanus immunization remains highly effective for much longer than 10 years. When you have a wound, as long as it breaks the skin, it is possible to develop tetanus. Most doctors recommend the following if you have received your primary (active) immunization in the past. If the
wound is clean and you have not had a tetanus booster in the last 10 years, it is recommended that you receive one. If the wound is dirty or tetanus-prone, then your doctor would likely recommend a tetanus booster if you have not had a tetanus booster shot within the last five years. Tetanus-prone wounds are those that are deeper or are contaminated with dirt or soil. If you are unsure about when you received your last tetanus shot, it is better to be safe and receive another booster than
sorry. You may experience increased redness and soreness at the injection site if it has been a shorter period of time since your last booster. If you have never received a primary immunization as a child and you have an open wound, the doctor will likely give you the first vaccine dose at the time of your wound care as well as a single dose of a special immunoglobulin with high activity against tetanus. You must see a doctor in four weeks and again in six months to complete the primary
vaccination series. The second important method of preventing tetanus is cleaning out the wound as thoroughly as possible. The wound can be washed with clean water, and soap can be used to clean the area around the wound. Trying to get any obvious dirt and particulate matter out of the wound are important -- not only to prevent tetanus, but also to prevent other
bacterial infections of the wound. How to pronounce tetanus: Listen Five doses of a DTaP shot for children and one Tdap shot for preteens are recommended by doctors as the best way to protect against tetanus. When should my child get a tetanus shot?One dose of DTaP at each of the following ages: One dose of Tdap at the following ages: Why should my child get a tetanus shot?
What vaccines protect against tetanus?There are 2 vaccines that help protect children against tetanus: DTaP and Tdap. Both also protect against diphtheria and whooping cough. These shots do not offer lifetime protection. People need booster shots to keep up protection. Tetanus shots are safe.Tetanus shots are safe and effective at preventing tetanus. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own. What are the side effects?Most children don’t have any side effects from DTaP or Tdap. The side effects that do occur from DTaP are usually mild, and may include:
More serious side effects are very rare but with DTaP can include:
The side effects from Tdap are usually mild, and may include:
Some preteens and teens might faint after getting Tdap or any other shot. To prevent fainting and injuries related to fainting, people should be seated or lying down during vaccination and remain in that position for 15 minutes after the vaccine is given. Prepare for your child's vaccine visit and learn about how you can:
Before, During, and After Shots What are the symptoms of tetanus?The first sign is most commonly spasms of the muscles of the jaw, or “lockjaw.”
What is tetanus?Tetanus is a serious disease caused by a toxin made by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani. It causes painful muscle stiffness and can be deadly. When the tetanus bacteria invade the body, they produce a toxin that causes painful muscle contractions. Another name for tetanus is “lockjaw.” It often causes a person’s neck and jaw muscles to lock, making it hard to open the mouth or swallow. Is it serious?Tetanus is very dangerous. It can cause breathing problems, muscle spasms, and paralysis (unable to move parts of the body). Muscle spasms can be strong enough to break a child’s spine or other bones. It can take months to recover fully from tetanus. A child might need weeks of hospital care. As many as 1 to 2 out of 10 people who get tetanus dies. How could my child get tetanus?Stepping on nails or other sharp objects is one way people are exposed to the bacteria that cause tetanus. These bacteria are in the environment and get into the body through breaks in the skin. Tetanus is different from other vaccine-preventable diseases because it does not spread from person to person. Tetanus bacteria are found in soil, dust, and manure. They get into the body through breaks in the skin, including:
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