tetanus is a serious illness caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. The bacteria that cause tetanus are usually found in soil, dust, and manure.
Tetanus causes painful muscle stiffness makes the muscles of the neck and jaw contract and makes it difficult for the patient to open the mouth or swallow; it causes trouble breathing, muscle spasms (which can break the bones of the spine), and paralysis. It can be deadly.
How do the bacteria that cause tetanus enter the body?
The bacteria that cause tetanus enter the body through the following: a puncture wound, a cut or a sore on the skin, after suffering a burn or an animal bite.
The tetanus vaccine protects against this disease, and is applied by intramuscular injection in the left arm.
The vaccine that is applied at four years of age. In the current vaccination schedule, it is whole cells (DPT that also contains diphtheria and whooping cough vaccine); acellular vaccine (DPaT) is part of the Pentavalent vaccine that is applied at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age.
In our country, the DPT vaccine is applied as booster at 4 years of age.
The tetanus vaccine should be applied to all exposed persons, pregnant women, health workers, rural workers, athletes, adolescents from 10 to 19 years of age, and adults who require vaccination for whom the Td (tetanus/tetanus) vaccine exists. diphtheria).
What are some reactions that can occur to the tetanus shot?
Mild to moderate pain and swelling and hardness on the application site; malaise and fever up to 38.5 GC, for 12 or 24 hours, lack of appetite, irritability, which lasts one to two days; hives could appear, and in children also vomiting and diarrhea.
The most serious reactions may be seizures associated with fever.
On another matter, I invite you to watch and participate in your program ‘Medical Specialists at Your Health Care’; the Next Friday at 8:00 p.m. the specialist will accompany us in Neurology, Dr. Jorge Almanza Islas, with the theme: ‘Sleep disorders’.
We will pass it on Facebook: Medical Specialists in Your Health Care and in Revistasinrecreo.com
