How often do you take tetanus shot

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a serious but preventable disease that affects the body's muscles and nerves.

Starting at 2 months of age, all babies in the United States are vaccinated against tetanus. The disease is much more common in developing countries than it is in the United States.

What Causes Tetanus?

Tetanus is caused by a type of called Clostridium tetani that usually live in soil. The bacteria make a toxin (a chemical or poison that harms the body). This toxin attaches to nerves around a wound area and travels inside the nerves to the brain or spinal cord. There it interferes with the normal activity of nerves, especially the motor nerves that send direct messages to muscles.

In the United States, most cases of tetanus follow a contaminated cut or deep puncture injury, such as a wound caused by stepping on a nail. Sometimes the injury is so small the person never even sees a doctor.

Tetanus is most common in:

• injuries that involve dead skin, such as burns, frostbite, gangrene, or crush injuries
• wounds contaminated with soil, saliva (spit), or feces, especially if not cleaned well
• skin punctures from nonsterile needles, such as with drug use or self-performed tattooing or body piercing

What Is Neonatal Tetanus?

Another form of tetanus, neonatal tetanus, happens in newborns born in unsanitary conditions, especially if the umbilical cord stump becomes contaminated. Routine immunizations and sanitary cord care have made newborn tetanus very rare in developed countries.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Tetanus?

Tetanus often begins with muscle spasms in the jaw (called trismus). Someone also can have trouble swallowing and stiffness or pain in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, or back. The spasms can spread to the muscles of the belly, upper arms, and thighs. The symptoms can happen days to months after exposure to the bacteria.

How Is Tetanus Treated?

Someone who has tetanus will be treated in a hospital, usually in the intensive care unit (ICU). There, they usually get antibiotics to kill bacteria and tetanus immune globulin (TIG) to neutralize the toxin already released. They'll also get medicines to control muscle spasms and may need treatment to support vital body functions.

Can Tetanus Be Prevented?

Yes. The two most important ways to prevent tetanus are:

1. getting vaccinated against tetanus
2. getting a shot (post-exposure tetanus prophylaxis) after an injury that could cause tetanus

Tetanus immunization is part of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccinations. Kids usually get:

• a series of four doses of DTaP vaccine before 2 years of age
• another dose at 4–6 years of age
• a booster (Tdap) at 11–12 years of age, or later if it was missed

Then, they should get a Tdap or a tetanus and diphtheria (Td) booster every 10 years through adulthood.

The Tdap vaccine is also recommended for all pregnant women during the second half of each pregnancy, regardless of whether they had the vaccine before, or when it was last given.

Neonatal tetanus can be prevented by making sure that all pregnant women have had their tetanus immunizations, by delivering babies in sanitary conditions, and by proper umbilical cord care.

Post-exposure tetanus prophylaxis involves getting tetanus shots after an injury. Shots given will depend on:

• when the patient last had a booster
• the total number of tetanus vaccinations the patient has had
• the nature of the wound

Any skin wound — especially a deep puncture or a wound that may be contaminated with feces, soil, or saliva — should be cleaned and dressed right away.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

If you're not sure whether your kids have gotten their tetanus vaccinations, or if you know they're not fully immunized, call your doctor. If it's been more than 10 years since someone in your family got a tetanus booster, see your doctor to bring immunizations up to date.

If a puncture or other deep wound happens, clean the wound and call the doctor to ask about post-exposure tetanus prophylaxis. If your child develops lockjaw or muscle spasms — particularly after a wound — get medical care right away.

If you live in the United States, you’ve likely had several tetanus vaccines throughout your life. But how do you know if you need another tetanus shot after a cut or other injury? Pratik Thaker, M.D., a Piedmont family medicine physician, explains.

What is tetanus?

Tetanus is a disease caused by a toxin-producing bacterium that affects the nervous system.

“Tetanus is a preventable, but very dangerous, disease,” says Dr. Thaker. “It’s uncommon in the United States—there are about 30 reported cases each year. But nearly all those cases were in people who weren’t vaccinated.”

Other tetanus risk factors—besides being unvaccinated—include:

• A foreign object in a wound, such as a splinter or a nail

• Wounds or cuts that are exposed to dirt or manure

• Shared needles for illegal drug use

• A medical condition that compromises your immune system

• An infected skin injury or sore if you have diabetes

• An infected umbilical cord if the mother isn’t vaccinated

Symptoms of tetanus

Early tetanus symptoms can include:

• Muscle contractions, especially in the jaw and neck muscles (also known as lockjaw)

• Painful muscle spasms in your neck

• Trouble swallowing

• Rigid muscles around your lips and abdomen

• Painful, seizure-like spasms

• Breathing problems

If the disease progresses, it can cause:

• Rapid heart rate

• Extreme sweating

• Low blood pressure

• High blood pressure

• Fever

“Tetanus can be a very life-threatening disease, so it’s important to ensure children are vaccinated and adults get regular booster shots,” says Dr. Thaker.

The recommended tetanus vaccine schedule is:

• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years

• Tdap booster at age 11 or 12

• Tdap or Td booster shot for adults every 10 years

• Tetanus booster during the third trimester of pregnancy, regardless of vaccination status

Do you need a tetanus shot after an injury?

Whether you need a tetanus shot after a cut, puncture wound, bite or burn depends on the type of injury.

“If a wound is contaminated with dirt or saliva or was caused by something made from metal, you should see your primary care provider or go to urgent care for a tetanus booster if you haven’t had a booster in five years,” says Dr. Thaker. “If you can’t remember when you had your last tetanus booster and we can’t find documentation, there’s no harm in getting a tetanus booster.”

If you sustain any type of injury, he recommends practicing first aid:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry them on a clean towel.

• Gently wash the wound with soap and water and dry it with a clean towel.

• If the wound was contaminated with dirt or saliva or it’s a deep wound, go to urgent care or your primary care provider ASAP.

Finally, Dr. Thaker emphasizes that vaccines—including tetanus shots—are safe for most people as long as they aren’t allergic to the ingredients in the vaccine.

“Vaccines don’t cause autism,” he says. “Unless you have a very good reason not to get vaccinated, you should get the vaccine.”

Vaccines save lives, so ask your primary care provider if you’re up to date on your vaccinations.

We make getting great health care simple and convenient. Schedule an appointment today through your Piedmont MyChart account or our website.

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