Tetanus Shot: How Often Do You Need One

What is a tetanus infection? Well, for the uninitiated, tetanus is caused by the harmful bacteria Clostridium tetani and it affects the neuromuscular functioning of the body. The bacteria thrives in animal excreta, soil and unhygienic conditions. In humans, tetanus is spread when the organism (bacteria) contaminates the wounds or cuts.

We are all aware of the fact that a cut from a rusty knife or a sharp object could cause a tetanus infection, a bacterial disease that affects our nervous system and is usually life-threatening in most of the cases. However, the tetanus bacteria can not only enter the body through deep wounds, injuries or cuts but also through a small pinprick, a scratch from an animal and even due to skin burn as the wounds are subject to the bacterial infection. Tetanus shot prevents the body from the fatal tetanus infection. However, it is believed to be one of the most painful vaccinations. The tetanus shot pain usually lasts for a day or two to about a week. Tetanus shot is the most urged vaccination for infants since it helps to develop resistance against the harmful bacteria at an early age.

Tetanus Shot: How Often Do You Need One

What is the dosage and frequency of tetanus shot. How often do you need it? That's the most important question that needs to be addressed. Basically, the tetanus shot frequency and dosage varies depending on the age of the person.

Tetanus Shot Frequency in Children
Tetanus vaccination helps to prevent certain diseases in children, without which your child may be at a risk of contracting these diseases. While playing in playgrounds, parks and gardens, children accidentally cut their knees and hands. Besides these, the animal droppings can also infect kids, if they accidentally come in contact with them. So, it's better to take precautions and go for the tetanus vaccination. Tetanus vaccine is usually given to kids as a part of the regular immunization program. The tetanus vaccine is given in combination with other vaccinations like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio, etc. A full vaccine plan for children generally consists of the following doses as mentioned in the table below.

Course	Tetanus Shot Frequency	Combination Vaccines
Primary Course in Childhood	3 doses of the vaccine in the 6th, 10th and 14th week after birth	Given along with DPT-Polio-Hib Vaccine
Fourth Dose	3 years after the primary vaccination	Given as a part of DPT-Polio vaccination called as pre-school booster
Fifth Dose	Given to children aged 13 to 18 years as school leaver booster	Td Polio vaccine

Tetanus Shot Frequency in Adults
The tetanus shot frequency in adults is generally an extension of the vaccination that an individual has got during childhood. There is a high probability that if you haven't been immunized in your early childhood against tetanus, it may affect you in the later stages of life. A pregnant woman who hasn't received the booster vaccination for tetanus and delivers in unhygienic conditions, can risk the life of the baby. Also, people working in agricultural sector who frequently come in contact with manures, dirt, etc. require tetanus vaccination. The most frequent cases can be, if you have seriously injured or hurt yourself, then you may need a tetanus vaccination urgently. The general vaccination for adults is as follows.

Course	Tetanus Shot Frequency	Vaccine
Initial course*	3 doses of vaccine each one month apart	Td Polio Vaccine as a tetanus booster
Fourth Dose	10 years after the initial course	Given as Td Polio vaccine
Fifth Dose	10 years after fourth dose	As Td Polio vaccine

(* For those who were never immunized against tetanus during childhood).

Tetanus Shot Side Effects

Though tetanus shot is necessary and important but still it has certain side effects. Some serious side effects of tetanus shot include seizures, numbness in the area of injection, allergies, headache and fatigue. Many of these rarely last longer, but in case the symptoms persist, a medical check up is a must. Read more on tetanus shot side effects.

Tetanus shot is a vaccination that is essential for people of all ages especially for people working in sectors like agriculture and industrial/manufacturing units. Tetanus, also known as lockjaw can cause severe muscle spasms and breathing problems, in case it affects a person. So it is best to take precautions and get vaccinated against tetanus.