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Medical Author:

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Tetanus facts
• 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?
• What is the treatment for tetanus?
• 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)?
• Patient Comments: Tetanus - Describe Your Experience
• Tetanus Index

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.

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who exhibit the early symptoms of tetanus or in those whose immunization status is unknown or significantly out of date, the tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) is given into the muscle surrounding the wound with the remainder of the dose given into the buttocks.

REFERENCES:

American Academy of Pediatrics. "Tetanus (Lockjaw)." In: Pickering, L.K., ed. Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 28th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, 2009.

Braunwald, Eugene, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill, 2008.