Facts About Tetanus For Adults
What is tetanus?
Tetanus, commonly called lockjaw, is a bacterial disease that affects
the nervous system. It is contracted through a cut or wound that becomes
contaminated with tetanus bacteria. The bacteria can get in through even
a tiny pinprick or scratch, but deep puncture wounds or cuts like those
made by nails or knives are especially susceptible to infection with
tetanus. Tetanus bacteria are present worldwide and are commonly found
in soil, dust and manure. Infection with tetanus causes severe muscle
spasms, leading to "locking" of the jaw so the patient cannot
open his/her mouth or swallow, and may even lead to death by
suffocation. Tetanus is not transmitted from person to person.
Prevention
Vaccination is the best way to protect against tetanus. Due to
widespread immunization, tetanus is now a rare disease in the U.S. A
combination shot, called the Td vaccine, protects against both tetanus
and diphtheria. A Td booster shot is recommended every 10 years. Adults
who have never received immunization against tetanus should start with a
3-dose primary series given over 7-12 months.
Symptoms
Common first signs of tetanus are a headache and muscular stiffness in
the jaw (lockjaw) followed by stiffness of the neck, difficulty in
swallowing, rigidity of abdominal muscles, spasms, sweating and fever.
Symptoms usually begin 8 days after the infection, but may range in
onset from 3 days to 3 weeks.
Who should get Td vaccine?
- All adults who have not had a Td booster shot in the last 10
years.
- Adults who have recovered from tetanus (lockjaw) disease.
- Adults who have never received immunization against tetanus.
- All adolescents and adults who deferred their regular booster
during 2001-2002 because of shortages of the vaccine -- the supply
problems have been resolved.
Vaccine Safety
Tetanus vaccine and the combination Td vaccine are very safe and
effective. When side effects do occur, they usually include soreness,
redness or swelling at the injection site and a slight fever. As with
any medicine, there are very small risks that serious problems, such as
an allergic reaction or neurologic condition, could occur after getting
a vaccine. However, the potential risks associated with tetanus disease
are much greater than the potential risks associated with the tetanus
vaccine. You cannot get tetanus from the vaccine.
FACT: Tetanus can be prevented with a
safe and effective vaccine.
FACT: You cannot get tetanus from the
vaccine.
FACT:Tetanus is caused by a toxin
produced by a type of bacteria found worldwide in soil, dust and manure.
FACT:Tetanus is not transmitted from one
person to another.
FACT:Almost all reported cases of
tetanus occur in persons who have either never been vaccinated, or those
who completed a primary series but have not had a booster vaccination in
the past 10 years.
FACT:Approximately 11% of reported cases
of tetanus are fatal. In the U.S., where 50 or fewer cases of tetanus
occur each year, deaths are more likely to occur in persons 60 years of
age and older.
FACT: People with tetanus may have to
spend several weeks in the hospital under intensive care.
FACT: For adults, a tetanus-diphtheria
(Td) shot every 10 years ensures protection against these two diseases.
FACT: Recovery from tetanus illness may
not result in immunity. Another infection could occur unless
immunization is provided soon after the person's condition has
stabilized.
National Coalition for Adult Immunization
4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 750
Bethesda, MD 20814-5228
Revised February 2003
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