Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection caused by the Clostridium tetani bacteria, that affects the brain and spinal cord. Tetanus infections in Australia are rare due to high vaccination rates. However, if someone isn’t vaccinated, they can develop a range of symptoms that can be fatal. In Australia, around 2% of people who get the infection die.1
Tetanus is also known as ‘lock jaw’ as it can cause spasms of the jaw which cause it to lock shut. While not contagious, tetanus is a notifiable disease in Australia, which means health authorities must be notified if you have the disease2.
Explore tetanus topics below
Tetanus symptoms
Symptoms usually occur three to 21 days after infection. Signs you may have a tetanus infection include:3
- painful muscle spasms, especially in the face or neck
- inability to open your mouth (lockjaw)
- trouble talking and swallowing
- breathing difficulties
- racing heart
- fever.
Complications of tetanus can include high or low blood pressure, pneumonia, broken bones from muscle spasms, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
What causes tetanus?
Tetanus bacteria live in soil, dust and manure (especially horse manure) and can enter the skin through a scratch or wound. The bacteria make a toxin (poison) that attaches to the nerve cells and attacks the central nervous system. You can get tetanus from simple things like a prick from a rose thorn or a scratch from a rusty nail.
Who is at risk of tetanus?
Tetanus can occur in anyone but it’s more common in older people who haven’t been vaccinated or whose vaccination was more than 10 years ago. Other high-risk groups includepeople who:4
- work in dusty environments, with soil or horses
- use intravenous drugs
- travel to Asia, South America or Africa
- have ‘high-risk’ wounds that are more prone to infection, such as compound fractures, deep wounds, burns and animal bites
Diagnosing & treating tetanus
Treatment
Tetanus is extremely serious. Even with treatment, some people may die from the infection.There is no cure for tetanus, just clinical care while the disease runs its course. Treatment usually involves:4
- tetanus immunoglobulin (antitoxin) which neutralises tetanus toxins in the body thatare not attached to the nerve cells
- antibiotics
- anti-convulsive medication
- hospitalisation
- life-support if someone can’t breathe properly
- tetanus vaccination.
Tetanus vaccine
The best way to prevent tetanus is through vaccination. Because immunity lessens over time, booster shots are recommended to ensure protection.Tetanus vaccines are given as a part of routine childhood immunisations under the National Immunisation Program.5 Vaccines are usually given at:
- 6 weeks to 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 18 months
- 4 years
- Between 11 and 13 years
After the complete course of injections listed above, tetanus boosters are recommended:
- for pregnant women in their third trimester
- at 50 years, if you haven’t had a vaccination in the last 10 years
- at 65 years if you haven’t had a vaccination in the last 10 years.
If you sustain a deep penetrating wound or have an open wound, it’s recommended you receive a vaccination if you haven’t had one in the last 5 years.
The vaccine is free for children but there is a cost for everyone else. Speak to your Pharmacist if you think you should be vaccinated.
How TerryWhite Chemmart can help
Your local TerryWhite Chemmart Pharmacist is available to help you manage your health. We can provide expert advice and recommend products that may help provide relief when you’re not well. We can also refer you to a doctor if necessary, such as if you have a deep wound, a dirty wound, or if your skin has been penetrated by something like a rose thorn or rusty nail. If it’s been 10 years or more since your last tetanus shot, or you don’t know when your last shot was, you should also speak to your Pharmacist or doctor about vaccination.