You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. Cancel Continue. The bacteria exist in soil, manure, and other environmental agents. A person who experiences a puncture wound with a contaminated object can develop the infection, which can affect the whole body. It can be fatal. In the United States, there are about 30 cases a year.
These are mostly people who have not been vaccinated against tetanus or who have not kept up their booster shots every 10 years. Tetanus is a medical emergency. It will need aggressive wound treatment and antibiotics. Tetanus symptoms usually emerge about 7 to 10 days after initial infection. However, this can vary from 4 days to about 3 weeks, and may, in some cases, may take months.
In general, the further the injury site is from the central nervous system , the longer the incubation period. Patients with shorter incubation times tend to have more severe symptoms. Muscle symptoms include spasms and stiffness. Stiffness usually starts with the chewing muscles, hence the name lockjaw. Muscle spasms then spread to the neck and throat, causing difficulties with swallowing.
Patients often have spasms in their facial muscles. Breathing difficulties may result from neck and chest muscle stiffness. In some people, abdominal and limb muscles are also affected.
In severe cases, the spine will arch backward as the back muscles become affected. This is more common when children experience a tetanus infection. Any cut or wound must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent infection. A tetanus-prone wound should be treated by a medical professional immediately.
Any patient with a wound listed above should receive tetanus immunoglobulin TIG as soon as possible, even if they have been vaccinated. Tetanus immunoglobulin contains antibodies that kill Clostridium tetani. Adults should receive tetanus vaccines every 10 years, as part of a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis Tdap vaccine or Td vaccine. However, if you suffer a high risk wound, the CDC recommends you receive a tetanus vaccine at the time of the injury if your last vaccine was more than five years ago.
Farmers and other workers or hobbyists are encouraged to get a tetanus shot every five years if they regularly come into contact with dirt and feces and could easily cut themselves. There are few downsides to getting the tetanus vaccine more often than the year recommendation.
Tetanus is such a serious disease that emergency departments are quick to administer the vaccine to prevent tetanus if the patient is unsure of when they last received the tetanus vaccine.
In addition to emergency departments, tetanus vaccines are typically available in urgent care centers, primary care offices and in some pharmacies. Learn more about plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery, the peripheral nervous system and more. The flu shot is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you from illness.
However, flu shots and other preventive health resources are not offered or accessed equally across different racial groups. By clicking "Subscribe" you agree to our Terms of Use. We'll be in touch every so often with health tips, patient stories, important resources and other information you need to keep you and your family healthy. Tetanus symptoms can continue for weeks, and recovery can take months. This rare form of tetanus results from a head wound. It results in weakened muscles in the face and spasms of the jaw muscles.
It also can progress to generalized tetanus. Tetanus is a life-threatening disease. If you have signs or symptoms of tetanus, seek emergency care. If you have a simple, clean wound — and you've had a tetanus shot within 10 years — you can care for your wound at home. The bacterium that causes tetanus is called Clostridium tetani. The bacterium can survive in a dormant state in soil and animal feces.
It's essentially shut down until it discovers a place to thrive. When the dormant bacteria enter a wound — a condition good for growth — the cells are "awakened.
The toxin impairs the nerves in the body that control muscles. The greatest risk factor for tetanus infection is not being vaccinated or not keeping up with the year booster shots. The tetanus vaccine is given to children as part of the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine DTaP. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection of the nose and throat.
Acellular pertussis, also called whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection. Children who do not tolerate the pertussis vaccine may receive the alternative vaccine called DT. The DTaP is a series of five shots typically given in the arm or thigh to children at ages:. A booster shot is recommended for children at age 11 or
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