Tetanus is a disease of the nervous system caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria.

The symptoms of tetanus include:

Early symptoms: Lockjaw, stiffness in the neck and abdomen, and difficulty swallowing.

Later symptoms: Severe muscle spasms, generalized tonic seizure-like activity, severe autonomic nervous system disorders. 

The bacteria that cause tetanus can be found in the soil. If a person’s skin is punctured, perhaps through a cut or scrape, the tetanus bacteria can enter the body and cause infection.

Tetanus is not spread from person-to-person.

·      Remain up-to-date on tetanus vaccination. Adults should receive a Tdap vaccine once every 10 years. Children will receive protection with the DTaP vaccine, given as part of the typical childhood immunization schedule.

·      If you think you may have been exposed to tetanus, get a tetanus shot as soon as possible after the injury occurs.

·      Be aware of any open wounds you may have. Clean wounds as soon as possible.  

The initial symptoms of tetanus typically occur eight days after exposure, but can occur between three and 21 days. 

The tetanus vaccine should provide protection to those who have been vaccinated within the last 10 years, even if the person was exposed to the tetanus bacteria; however, it’s a good idea to contact a health care provider. If you aren’t sure when you were vaccinated, contact a health care provider immediately—don’t wait for symptoms to develop.   

Since there's no cure for tetanus, treatment consists of wound care, medications to ease symptoms and supportive care.

As many as 1 in 5 people affected with tetanus dies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tetanus is rare in the United States, where 50 or fewer cases of tetanus occur each year.

No cases of tetanus have been reported in Northern Kentucky in recent years.  

For more information online, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/tetanus/default.htm

Or, for more information, please call the Health Department at 859.363.2070.