Are you up to date on your tetanus vaccine?
Symptoms
Tetanus is a serious disease which causes severe muscle spasms that can lead to lockjaw (the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow). In the US, the highest number of cases are in the unvaccinated older adults who don’t stay up to date on their 10-year booster shots.
Causes
- Tetanus does not spread from person to person.
- It is caused by a bacteria which may be found in in soil, dust and tools or nails.
- It can enter the body through breaks in the skin – usually cuts or puncture wounds caused by contaminated objects.
- Frostbite or burns can lead to tetanus.
- Sometimes there is no obvious portal of entry.
Prevention: There are 2 vaccines
- Td is a tetanus-diphtheria vaccine given to adolescents and adults as a booster shot every 10 years, or after an exposure to tetanus if you have not had a booster within 5…
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