In this Article

• What is tetanus?
• Where do tetanus bacteria grow in the body?
• How does the tetanus toxin cause damage to the body?
• What is the incubation period for tetanus?
• What is the course of the tetanus disease? What are the symptoms and signs of tetanus?
• How is tetanus treated?
• How is tetanus prevented?
• What is the schedule for active immunization ("tetanus shots")?
• What are the side effects of tetanus immunization?
• What is passive immunization (by way of specialized immunoglobulin)?
• Tetanus At A Glance
• Tetanus Glossary
• Tetanus Index

What are the side effects of tetanus immunization?

Side effects of tetanus immunization occur in approximately 25% of vaccine recipients. The most frequent side effects are usually quite mild (and familiar) and include soreness, swelling and/or redness at the site of the injection. More significant reactions are extraordinarily rare. The incidence of this particular reaction increases with decreasing interval between boosters.

What is passive immunization (by way of specialized immunoglobulin)?

In individuals who exhibit the early symptoms of tetanus or in those whose immunization status is unknown or significantly out of date, the tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) is given into the muscle surrounding the wound with the remainder of the dose given into the buttocks.

Tetanus At A Glance

• Tetanus is frequently a fatal infectious disease.
• Tetanus is caused by a type of bacteria (Clostridium tetani).
• The tetanus bacteria often enter the body through a puncture wound, which can be caused by nails, splinters or insect bites, or burns, any skin break, and injection-drug sites.
• All children and adults should be immunized against tetanus by receiving vaccinations.
• A tetanus booster is needed every 10 years after primary immunization or after a puncture or other skin wound which could provide the tetanus bacteria an opportunity to enter the body.

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, McGraw-Hill, edited by Eugene Braunwald, et al., 2001.

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