Tetanus
Overview
Tetanus is a serious, life-threatening condition caused by bacteria getting into a wound. It's rare in the UK because the tetanus vaccine has been part of the routine vaccination schedule for many years.
Symptoms
The symptoms of tetanus usually start around 4 to 21 days after infection. Most people get symptoms after about 10 days. The symptoms of tetanus include: a stiff jaw (lockjaw), which can make opening your mouth difficultpainful muscle spasms, often in your back, tummy, arms, legs, hands and feetdifficulty breathingswallowing problemsa high temperaturesweatinga fast heartbeatfits (seizures)
Treatment
If you have tetanus, or a wound that has a high risk of being infected, you’ll be treated in hospital. Treatments for tetanus include: cleaning the wound – any dirt, soil or dead tissue will be removedan injection with a medicine called tetanus immunoglobulinother medicines, such asantibioticsand medicines to help control painful muscle spasms and stiffnesshelp with breathing using a machine that gives you oxygen You may need a tetanus vaccine or booster if you've not been fully vaccinated (5 doses in total), or if your vaccination history is uncertain. It can take several weeks or sometimes months to fully recover from tetanus.
Prevention
The best way to avoid getting tetanus is to make sure you're fully vaccinated against it. The tetanus vaccine is given as part of the routineNHS vaccination schedule. The vaccines are given at: 8, 12 and 16 weeks – as part of the6-in-1 vaccine3 years and 4 months – as part of the4-in-1 pre-school booster14 years – as part of the3-in-1 teenage booster Check with your GP surgery if you’re not sure which vaccinations you or your child has had in the past.