How often do i need to get tetanus shot

If you live in the United States, you’ve likely had several tetanus vaccines throughout your life. But how do you know if you need another tetanus shot after a cut or other injury? Pratik Thaker, M.D., a Piedmont family medicine physician, explains.

What is tetanus?

Tetanus is a disease caused by a toxin-producing bacterium that affects the nervous system.

“Tetanus is a preventable, but very dangerous, disease,” says Dr. Thaker. “It’s uncommon in the United States—there are about 30 reported cases each year. But nearly all those cases were in people who weren’t vaccinated.”

Other tetanus risk factors—besides being unvaccinated—include:

• A foreign object in a wound, such as a splinter or a nail

• Wounds or cuts that are exposed to dirt or manure

• Shared needles for illegal drug use

• A medical condition that compromises your immune system

• An infected skin injury or sore if you have diabetes

• An infected umbilical cord if the mother isn’t vaccinated

Symptoms of tetanus

Early tetanus symptoms can include:

• Muscle contractions, especially in the jaw and neck muscles (also known as lockjaw)

• Painful muscle spasms in your neck

• Trouble swallowing

• Rigid muscles around your lips and abdomen

• Painful, seizure-like spasms

• Breathing problems

If the disease progresses, it can cause:

• Rapid heart rate

• Extreme sweating

• Low blood pressure

• High blood pressure

• Fever

When to get a tetanus shot

“Tetanus can be a very life-threatening disease, so it’s important to ensure children are vaccinated and adults get regular booster shots,” says Dr. Thaker.

The recommended tetanus vaccine schedule is:

• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years

• Tdap booster at age 11 or 12

• Tdap or Td booster shot for adults every 10 years

• Tetanus booster during the third trimester of pregnancy, regardless of vaccination status

Do you need a tetanus shot after an injury?

Whether you need a tetanus shot after a cut, puncture wound, bite or burn depends on the type of injury.

“If a wound is contaminated with dirt or saliva or was caused by something made from metal, you should see your primary care provider or go to urgent care for a tetanus booster if you haven’t had a booster in five years,” says Dr. Thaker. “If you can’t remember when you had your last tetanus booster and we can’t find documentation, there’s no harm in getting a tetanus booster.”

If you sustain any type of injury, he recommends practicing first aid:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry them on a clean towel.

• Gently wash the wound with soap and water and dry it with a clean towel.

• If the wound was contaminated with dirt or saliva or it’s a deep wound, go to urgent care or your primary care provider ASAP.

Finally, Dr. Thaker emphasizes that vaccines—including tetanus shots—are safe for most people as long as they aren’t allergic to the ingredients in the vaccine.

“Vaccines don’t cause autism,” he says. “Unless you have a very good reason not to get vaccinated, you should get the vaccine.”

Vaccines save lives, so ask your primary care provider if you’re up to date on your vaccinations.

We make getting great health care simple and convenient. Schedule an appointment today through your Piedmont MyChart account or our website.

How to pronounce tetanus: Listen

Five doses of a DTaP shot for children and one Tdap shot for preteens are recommended by doctors as the best way to protect against tetanus.

When should my child get a tetanus shot?

One dose of DTaP at each of the following ages:

One dose of Tdap at the following ages:

Why should my child get a tetanus shot?

• Protects your child from tetanus, which can be a serious and even deadly disease, as well as diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis).
• Protects your child from painful muscle stiffness from tetanus.
• Keeps your child from missing school or child care, and you from missing work.

What vaccines protect against tetanus?

There are 2 vaccines that help protect children against tetanus: DTaP and Tdap. Both also protect against diphtheria and whooping cough. These shots do not offer lifetime protection. People need booster shots to keep up protection.

Tetanus shots are safe.

Tetanus shots are safe and effective at preventing tetanus. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own.

What are the side effects?

Most children don’t have any side effects from DTaP or Tdap. The side effects that do occur from DTaP are usually mild, and may include:

• Soreness or swelling where the shot was given
• Fever
• Fussiness
• Feeling tired
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting

More serious side effects are very rare but with DTaP can include:

• A fever over 105 degrees
• Nonstop crying for 3 hours or more
• Seizures (jerking, twitching of the muscles, or staring)

The side effects from Tdap are usually mild, and may include:

• Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• Mild fever
• Headache
• Feeling tired
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomachache

Some preteens and teens might faint after getting Tdap or any other shot.

To prevent fainting and injuries related to fainting, people should be seated or lying down during vaccination and remain in that position for 15 minutes after the vaccine is given.

Prepare for your child's vaccine visit and learn about how you can:

• Research vaccines and ready your child before the visit
• Comfort your child during the appointment
• Care for your child after the shot

Before, During, and After Shots

What are the symptoms of tetanus?

The first sign is most commonly spasms of the muscles of the jaw, or “lockjaw.”

• Jaw cramping
• Sudden, involuntary muscle spasms – often in the stomach
• Painful muscle stiffness all over the body
• Trouble swallowing
• Seizures (jerking or staring)
• Headache
• Fever and sweating
• Changes in blood pressure and heart rate

What is tetanus?

Tetanus is a serious disease caused by a toxin made by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani. It causes painful muscle stiffness and can be deadly.

When the tetanus bacteria invade the body, they produce a toxin that causes painful muscle contractions. Another name for tetanus is “lockjaw.” It often causes a person’s neck and jaw muscles to lock, making it hard to open the mouth or swallow.

Is it serious?

Tetanus is very dangerous. It can cause breathing problems, muscle spasms, and paralysis (unable to move parts of the body). Muscle spasms can be strong enough to break a child’s spine or other bones.

It can take months to recover fully from tetanus. A child might need weeks of hospital care. As many as 1 to 2 out of 10 people who get tetanus dies.

How could my child get tetanus?

Stepping on nails or other sharp objects is one way people are exposed to the bacteria that cause tetanus. These bacteria are in the environment and get into the body through breaks in the skin.

Tetanus is different from other vaccine-preventable diseases because it does not spread from person to person.

Tetanus bacteria are found in soil, dust, and manure. They get into the body through breaks in the skin, including:

• Punctures, cuts, or sores on the skin
• Burns
• Animal bites

Related Resources:

• Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) have detailed information about recommended vaccines. Read the VISs for vaccines that protect against diphtheria:
  • DTaP vaccine — protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (for infants and children) (Other Languages)
  • Tdap vaccine — protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (for preteens, teens, and adults) (Other Languages)
  • Td vaccine – protects against diphtheria and tetanus (for adults) (Other Languages)

How often do you need a tetanus shot for adults?

How long do you have to get a tetanus shot after a cut?

Do I need a tetanus shot for a small puncture?

How many tetanus shots do you get in a lifetime?