Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious infectious disease caused by bacteria usually found in the soil.
Summary
Keep cuts and grazes covered while working in the garden. Make sure to clean any injury straight away.
Tetanus bacteria enter the body through wounds such as cuts, grazes and puncture wounds. This could happen, for example, from a scratch or cutting yourself when gardening.
Bacteria in the wound produce a toxin. This toxin causes:
- the muscles to stiffen around the jaw, neck, back, chest, abdomen and limbs
- sometimes, a high temperature and sweating
- nerve irritation, which leads to severe muscle spasms and difficulty in breathing.
Someone with tetanus will be very sick and need to go to hospital. Children and old people are especially at risk.
Symptoms
The symptoms usually appear within four to five days. They include:
- weakness
- stiffness
- cramps
- difficulty in chewing and swallowing food.
Prevention
It’s important to protect babies from tetanus by getting them immunised on time. They’re not protected until they’ve had all three doses.
All babies in New Zealand can be immunised against tetanus as part of their free childhood immunisations at six weeks, three months and five months old.
Booster doses are given to children when they’re four and 11 years old.
Vaccine
This disease is covered on the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule. The vaccines used are INFANRIX®- hexa, INFANRIX-IPVTM and BoostrixTM.
Continuing protection
To ensure protection continues, a tetanus booster is offered at 45 and 65 years of age. Boosters may also be needed after some cuts, grazes and wounds when you’ll need to see your doctor. The vaccine is free but you’ll need to pay a small administration fee. Ask your doctor or nurse for more information.
Making a decision about immunisation
Risks associated with tetanus
- The bacteria produce toxins which cause painful muscle spasms and lockjaw.
- Hospital intensive care treatment is needed.
- About one in 10 patients dies.
- The risk is greatest for the very young or old.
Risks associated with the vaccine
- About 0.5 to one in 100,000 recipients may develop nerve inflammation (pain and weakness) in the arm.
Immunisation is your choice. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or practice nurse or call the Immunisation Advisory Centre free helpline 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863).
Resources
Childhood Immunisation
Available from HealthEd.
Adult Tetanus and Diphtheria Immunisation
Available on HealthEd.
Safer and Healthier Gardening
Available from HealthEd.
Related websites
Immunisation Advisory Centre
Independent advice for parents on the immunisations available in New Zealand.
Better Health Channel
Consumer health and medical information from the Victoria (Australia) state government.
Page last updated: 08 February 2013
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