Tetanus is a condition caused by the toxin producing bacteria, clostridium tetani. It is found in soil and often introduced into the human body via puncture wounds.
Although people typically worry about rusty nails, any puncture (especially if it happens outdoors) can introduce tetanus into the body. The bacteria can also be introduced via burns, open fractures, sites of IV drug use, etc.
The tetanus toxin attacks the brain, spinal cord and nerves and causes severe muscle spasms. Tetanus is often synonymous with “lockjaw” which occurs when the muscles of the face become so rigid the mouth cannot be moved.
Tetanus is 100% fatal without intervention. With medical treatment, it is fatal about 15% of the time, but this number is higher in babies and the elderly. Tetanus is difficult to treat, and even though it is caused by a bacteria, the treatment course is more complicated than simply prescribing antibiotics. Those who survive this infection will be ill for many weeks.
Tetanus is one of the few bacterial diseases where you do NOT build immunity following an infection. Therefore, even people who have had tetanus need to continue to receive the vaccination. Tetanus vaccines have been around since the 1940’s and have led to a dramatic decrease in incidence of this condition in developed countries.
Vaccination against tetanus is recommended as follows:
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- DTap at ages 2 months, 4 months and 6 months and again at 15-18 months and again at 4-6 years of age
- Tdap at age 11-12 years
- Td or Tdap every 10 years as an adult
