Contact your GP surgery for advice if you're planning to travel abroad and have not been fully vaccinated against tetanus, or you're going to an area with limited medical facilities and your last vaccine dose was more than 10 years ago.
You'll be offered the 3-in-1 teenage booster. This injection, which also protects against diphtheria and polio , is usually free on the NHS. If you've never had the tetanus vaccine before, you may be advised to have as many doses as possible before you travel. There should be a 1-month gap between each dose. If there's not enough time to have all the doses you need, you can complete the course when you return.
Page last reviewed: 14 May Next review due: 14 May Tetanus is a serious but rare condition caused by bacteria getting into a wound. How you get tetanus Tetanus bacteria can survive for a long time outside the body and are commonly found in soil and the manure of animals such as horses and cows. The bacteria can get into your body through: cuts and grazes tears or splits in the skin burns animal bites body piercings, tattoos and injections eye injuries injecting contaminated drugs Tetanus cannot be spread from person to person.
Symptoms of tetanus The symptoms of tetanus usually start around 4 to 21 days after infection. The main symptoms of tetanus include: stiffness in your jaw muscles lockjaw , which can make it difficult to open your mouth painful muscle spasms, which can make it difficult to breathe and swallow a high temperature sweating a rapid heartbeat If it's not treated, the symptoms can get worse over the following hours and days.
When to get medical advice Contact a GP or visit your nearest minor injuries unit if you're concerned about a wound, particularly if: it's a deep wound there's dirt or something inside the wound you have not been fully vaccinated for tetanus, or you're not sure if you have A doctor will assess the wound and decide whether you need treatment and whether you need to go to hospital.
How tetanus is treated If a doctor thinks there's a chance you could develop tetanus from a wound, but you do not yet have any symptoms, they'll make sure your wound is thoroughly cleaned.
Minor open wounds may not require medical…. Symptoms of an infected wound can include increasing pain, redness, and swelling in the affected area. A person may be able to treat minor wound…. How often should you get a tetanus shot?
Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Duration How often Safety Why get one? Causes Symptoms Treatment Seeing a doctor Summary Tetanus, or lockjaw, is a medical emergency that can be prevented by vaccination.
How long does a tetanus shot last? Share on Pinterest A tetanus shot provides most people with about 10 years of protection. Is a tetanus shot safe? Why does a person need a tetanus shot? How does a person contract tetanus? Symptoms of tetanus. When to seek medical help. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What are the side effects of the tetanus shot? Medically reviewed by Zara Risoldi Cochrane, Pharm.
Everything you need to know about tetanus Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a severe infection caused by a bacterium that affects the brain and nervous system. What happens if a dog bite gets infected?
What to know about open wound care. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. If you decide to not go to the hospital, you should carefully monitor the wound and should go to the hospital if it gets worse. While tetanus shots are important immunizations and help prevent from a painful bacterial disease, the vaccine can have side effects. But sometimes people can have adverse reactions to the vaccine. People may feel:. Call today for a free consultation of your case. We live to fight for those who can't fight for themselves.
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