MEDICAL DICTIONARY
Tetanus : An often fatal infectious disease caused by the bacteria Clostridium tetani (C. tetani) which usually enters the body through a puncture, cut, or open wound. Tetanus is characterized by profoundly painful spasms of muscles, including "locking" of the jaw so that the mouth cannot open (lockjaw). C. tetani releases a toxin that affects the motor nerves, (the nerves which stimulate the muscles).
Prevention of tetanus is by immediately cleaning and covering any open wound, and by vaccination. ALL children should be immunized against tetanus by receiving a full series of 5 DPT vaccinations ("baby shots") which generally are started at 2 months of age and completed at about 5 years of age. Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) is now recommended at age 11-12 years if at least 5 years have elapsed since the last dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.
Follow-up booster vaccination is recommended every 10 years thereafter (e.g. 21 years old, 31 years old, etc.) While a 10-year period of protection exists after the basic childhood series is completed (at age 11-12), should a potentially contaminated wound occur during the second half of this block of time (i.e., at age 5 to 12), an "early" booster may be given and the 10-year "clock" is then reset.
Unvaccinated people who get a puncture wound or cut should get tetanus immunoglobulin and a series of tetanus shots immediately. People who have been immunized but are unsure of when their last tetanus shot was should get a booster.
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