Clostridium tetani is the bacteria that causes tetanus.  Its toxins act on your muscle controlling nerves, causing your muscles to spasm and stiffen.

Hence, tetanus is referred to as lockjaw because your jaw muscles can stiffen to the point that breathing and swallowing become difficult. and death by suffocation is a serious possibility.

Tetanus is contracted through a cut or wound that becomes contaminated with Clostridium tetani.  Spores of this bacteria are virtually everywhere, routinely gathered in soil, dust and manure. Thus, having a tetanus shot and “kept current” booster is crucial for those that hanging around farm animal territory.

Tetanus is not contagious.  Clostridium tetani bacteria typically enters your body through a puncture type (nail, knife) wound.  Because this bacteria cannot grow in the presence of oxygen, deep wounds tend to be a lower in oxygen environment.  An ideal habitat for tetanus toxic spores to germinate.

However,  C. tetani can even get in via minor wounds, such as a pinprick or scratch.  Some folks have become infected by means of:

Even tetanus from a splinter is possible.

Beyond lockjaw stiffness, other symptoms indicating that the tetanus causing poison has gained entry include:

Symptoms of tetanus may appear within a couple of days to several weeks, usually noticed 7 days after bacteria wound entry.

Tetanus is easily prevented by immunization shot and vaccine booster. Most cases of tetanus occur in those who have never been vaccinated or haven’t had a tetanus booster shot within the previous 10 years.

The tetanus vaccine is an inactivated toxin called a toxoid.  You cannot get tetanus from this vaccine.

But, because the shot is not a live vaccine, your immunity will tend to decline in time.  This is why a booster is recommended every 10 years.

Also, if ever you experience a deep or dirty wound, and the status of your booster vaccine is beyond 5 years, get with your health care professional right away for a “lockjaw prevention” boost.

The tetanus toxoid shot vaccine is normally given to children as part of the DTaP vaccine. This vaccination protects against:

• tetanus
• pertussis
• diphtheria

The DTaP childhood vaccine is given to children in a series of shots at ages:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 15 – 18 months
• 4 – 6 years

Most have no problems, except the expected injection sight soreness, redness or swelling.  The most frequently reported tetanus shot side effects are headache, generalized body aches and tiredness.

Treatment for tetanus is available, but it can be fatal even with treatment. Clostridium tetani produced spores are resistant to heat and many chemical agents, creating a very difficult to kill treatment issue.

Your best health defense against tetanus is preventing it in the first place. A tetanus shot, vaccine booster and vigilant wound care are your healthiest schemes.

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