Any wound visibly contaminated with soil, dust, or horse manure. Puncture wounds. Objects that can cause these types of wounds include wood splinters, nails, needles, glass, and human or animal bites. [1] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Skin burns. Second degree (partial-thickness or with blisters) and third degree (full-thickness) burns are at higher risk for infection than first degree (superficial) burns. [2] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Crush injuries that damage tissue by squeezing it between two heavy objects. They can also happen when heavy objects are dropped onto parts of the body. [3] X Research source Wounds involving necrotic, or dead, tissue. This kind of tissue has no blood supply, increasing its risk for infection (along with severely compromised tissue). For example, areas of gangrene (dead body tissue) are at increased risk for infection. [4] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Wounds with foreign objects in them. Wounds that have foreign bodies, such as splinters, glass shards, gravel, or other objects in them are at higher risk for infection. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source
Your wound was caused by a “clean” object, but your last tetanus shot was over 10 years ago. Your wound was caused by a “dirty” object and your last tetanus shot more than 5 years ago. You’re not sure if the wound was caused by a “clean” or “dirty” object and your last tetanus shot was over 5 years ago.
Your doctor will likely recommend the inactivated Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis) vaccine during the third trimester of your pregnancy. [8] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source If you have not had the Tdap vaccine before and don’t have it during pregnancy, you should get vaccinated immediately after giving birth. [9] X Research source CDC. Updated recommendations for use of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) in pregnant women - Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2012. MMWR 2013; 62 (07):131-5. If you get a dirty cut or wound while pregnant, you will likely need to get a tetanus booster shot.
DTaP. The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine (DTaP) are usually given to babies at ages 2, 4, and 6 months, and again at 15 to 18 months old. DTap is a very effective vaccine for small children. Kids will need another booster between ages 4 and 6. Tdap. Over time, protection from tetanus decreases, so older children need to get a booster shot. It has a full dose of tetanus and lower amounts of diphtheria and pertussis. All people between the ages of 11 and 18 are advised to get the booster, preferably around 11 or 12 years old. Td. If you’re an adult, get a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years to stay protected. Since some people may lose the protective antibody levels after 5 years, a booster vaccination is recommended if you get a deep, contaminated wound and haven’t had a vaccination in more than 5 years. [11] X Research source
Complications from tetanus are highest among people who have not been immunized or in older adults with inadequate immunization in industrialized countries. [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source You may also be at increased risk of tetanus after a natural disaster, especially if you live in a developing country. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Pay attention to whether the object that caused your wound is clean or dirty to decide whether you need a tetanus booster. A dirty, or contaminated, object has dirt/soil, saliva, or feces/manure on it, while a clean object does not. Remember that you can’t necessarily know if an object has bacteria on it.
Spasm of jaw muscles (commonly referred to as “lockjaw”) Stiffness of the neck Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) Board-like rigidity of the abdominal muscles
Laryngospasm, or spasm of the vocal cords, which can make breathing difficult Bone fractures Seizures/convulsions Abnormal heart rhythms Secondary infections, such as pneumonia, as a result of prolonged hospitalization Pulmonary embolism, or blood clots in the lungs Death (10% of reported cases are fatal)
Being infected with tetanus does not give you immunity from future infection. Instead, you’ll need to get the tetanus vaccine to keep from getting it again.
Doctors will base their diagnosis mainly on the symptoms and clinical signs that are present. The more severe the symptoms, the more rapid the course of action.
Some of the drugs to control muscle spasms include sedatives from the benzodiazepine group (like diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), and midazolam (Versed). [25] X Trustworthy Source Immunization Action Coalition Nonprofit organization focused on promoting the use of vaccines by distributing information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent. Go to source [26] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source [27] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Antibiotics are not generally effective against tetanus, but they may be prescribed to keep the Clostridium tetani bacteria from reproducing. This can help slow the production of toxins. [28] X Research source
