What is tetanus?
Tetanus is a bacterial illness caused by Clostridium tetani, a kind of bacteria found in soil and manure. Tetanus infections are mostly caused by a wound that allows the bacteria to enter your body. When the bacteria enter your body, they emit a toxin that causes your muscles to stiffen. Tetanus is often known as “lockjaw”. It frequently causes a person’s neck and jaw muscles to tighten, making it difficult to open the mouth or swallow. If not treated immediately, muscular stiffness spreads and, in extreme circumstances, results in death.
Because tetanus does not spread from person to person, “herd immunity” cannot protect against tetanus infections. As a result, to avoid tetanus, everyone needs a series of tetanus vaccinations. To prevent tetanus, the CDC recommends vaccination for newborns, children, teenagers, and adults.
Types
Four different vaccines protect from tetanus and other diseases. The vaccine you get is based on your age and vaccine status.
- DTaP is given to babies and young children. It provides immunity against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
- DT is used to treat newborns and young children who have had a negative reaction to the whooping cough vaccination. It only protects against tetanus and diphtheria.
- Tdap is given to adults and older children. It provides immunity against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
- Td is a booster injection for adults and older children that exclusively protects against tetanus and diphtheria.
Tetanus shot composition
The vaccines include harmless tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis toxins, but they can still produce an immune response. These vaccines include no live bacteria.
Who should get the tetanus shots?
Children normally receive five doses of the DTaP or DT vaccination at the ages of two months, four months, six months, between the ages of 15 and 18 months, and between the ages of four and six years. Then follows one Tdap dosage between the ages of 11 and 12, followed by a Td booster every ten years.
If you did not receive a tetanus vaccination as a kid, you should begin with a three-dose main series consisting of one Tdap dose and two Td doses. These vaccinations are given over a seven to twelve-month period. After you’ve completed the primary series, you’ll need a Td booster every ten years.
For women in their third trimester of each pregnancy, an extra dosage of Tdap is suggested to protect their kids until they are old enough for their vaccinations.
Contact us
In case of urgent medical care assistance, AfterOurs Urgent Care offers immediate telemedicine services, where medical providers are available to offer assistance. Anyone who experiences signs and symptoms requiring urgent medical attention can simply book their appointment with AfterOurs Urgent Care to directly talk to an expert. If your medical issue is not appropriate for telemedicine, we will let you know and refer you to an in-person facility.
Tetanus shots are available at AfterOurs Urgent Care.
For more information on tetanus shots, see the following website:
https://www.afteroursinc.com/