Is your tetanus vaccine up to date?

Tetanus disease (also refered to as lock-jaw) is not to be taken lightly as it can develop into a debilitating sickness or even cause death.

The tetanus vaccine is a vaccine made of unactive tetanus toxins and is used to put a stop to an individual from becoming infected with tetanus disease.

Symtoms and prevention from http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infectious/tetanus.html:

• Painful muscle spasms that begin in the jaw
• Stiff neck, shoulder and back muscles
• Trouble swallowing
• Convulsions
• Breathing difficulty

Prevention

• The tetanus vaccine is given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with boosting doses at 4 years, between 15 to 17 years, and 50 years of age.
• If you are an adult and have not had a booster in the last ten years you will need to get one when you turn 50.
• If you have received a primary course of 3 doses as an adult, you should receive booster doses 10 and 20 years after the primary course.
• If you have sustained tetanus prone wounds such as an open fracture, deep penetration wound, contaminated wounds or burns you should immediately disinfect the wound and seek medical attention to begin a boosting dose of tetanus vaccine if more than 5 years have elapsed since your last does.

If you have questions or concerns about tetanus disease or the tetanus vaccine please contact the knowledgeable physicians of Dominion Internal Medicine @ 540-878-5408.

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