Tetanus is a dangerous but uncommon illness brought on by bacteria entering a wound. The majority of tetanus victims are either not fully immunised against it or don’t finish the recommended regimen of jabs. Before travelling abroad, it’s crucial to be knowledgeable about the illness and how to get the tetanus vaccine in Dartford.
How do you contract tetanus?
Tetanus bacteria are typically found in soil and animal manure, such as that of cows and horses since they can live for a very long time outside of the body.
The bacteria can multiply quickly and emit a toxin that damages the nerves and causes symptoms like muscle stiffness and spasms if they enter the body through a cut.
Your body can become infected by the bacteria through:
- Grazes and cuts
- Splits or rips in the skin
- Burns
- Animal stings
- Injections, tattoos, and body piercings
- Eye injury
- Infusing contaminated substances
Tetanus transmission does not occur from one person to the other.
It’s also important to ensure that you get all the required vaccines before travelling abroad. One of them is the yellow fever vaccine. Learn more about the yellow fever vaccine in our previous blog post here:
What are the symptoms of tetanus?
Tetanus symptoms often appear 4 to 21 days following infection. They typically begin after about 10 days.
Tetanus’s primary signs and symptoms include:
- Jaw muscular tightness (lockjaw), which can make it challenging to open your mouth
- Excruciating muscle cramps that can make it challenging to breathe and swallow
- A high temperature
- Sweating
- A pounding heartbeat
In the hours and days that follow, the symptoms may get worse if there is no treatment.
How to treat tetanus
If your doctor suspects that you may contract tetanus from a wound even though you are symptom-free, they will ensure your wound is cleaned properly. They might also administer a tetanus immunoglobulin injection to you.
You might receive a dose of the tetanus vaccine if you have not had all of the recommended tetanus vaccinations or if you are unsure if you have. Therefore, you may receive antibiotics.
The tetanus vaccine in Dartford
The administration of the tetanus vaccine is part of the NHS children’s vaccination programme.
The whole course of vaccination entails five doses, often spaced out as follows:
- The 6-in-1 vaccine’s initial three doses are administered at ages 8, 12, and 16 weeks.
- At age 3 years and 4 months, a booster dosage is administered as part of the 4-in-1 pre-school booster.
- At age 14, a last dosage of the 3-in-1 teenage booster is administered.
This series of five injections should offer tetanus protection that lasts for a very long time. However, it’s essential to seek medical help if you or your child has a severe or unclean wound.
Tetanus travel vaccination
Since tetanus can be found anywhere, ensure you get proper protection before visiting another country.
If you haven’t received all of your tetanus shots and you’re planning to travel to a country with few medical facilities, or if your last dose of the vaccine was more than ten years ago, talk to your pharmacist for guidance.
If you have never received the tetanus vaccine as a child, it may be recommended that you receive as many doses as you can before travelling. Each dose should be separated by a month. You can finish the course when you get back if you don’t have enough time to take all the doses you require.
Who needs to get the tetanus vaccine in Dartford?
You should get the tetanus jab if any of the following apply to you:
- You did not receive the first round of tetanus vaccinations when you were a child.
- Ten years or more have passed since your previous tetanus booster.
- You’ve recovered from the tetanus condition
Who is not eligible for the tetanus vaccine?
If you previously received a Tdap vaccine and experienced a severe allergic reaction, you shouldn’t receive another jab. Additionally, you shouldn’t receive a Tdap vaccination if you’ve previously experienced seizures or comas within a week of receiving a Tdap shot. If you have ever had excruciating pain or swelling following a previous tetanus shot, or if you have a family history of either chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy or Guillain-Barre syndrome, discuss it with your pharmacist or doctor.
If you have a mild to severe acute sickness, you should postpone getting the Tdap vaccine.
What are the risks and side effects of the tetanus vaccine in Dartford?
It’s crucial to understand that acquiring tetanus often carries a considerably higher risk of complications than receiving the tetanus vaccine. The tetanus vaccine protects against tetanus. The tetanus vaccine, however, occasionally results in minor adverse effects. These may consist of:
- Pain, inflammation, or oedema at the site of injection
- Fever
- Body pains or headaches
- Fatigue
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, or nausea
- Appetite loss
- Fussiness in infants and young children
Book your appointment with us today to get your tetanus vaccine before travelling.
This blog post was written on behalf of Hodgson Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor
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