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Tetanus Vaccine – What is Tetanus?

While visiting my doctor for a routine checkup I was offered  the tetanus vaccine because I had not had one in a very long time, since I was bitten by a dog and I was in my early twenties, so it has been well over 25 years.

I took the vaccine.

I took this vaccine because I am always working where there are dangers of stepping on rusty nails and working in unclean conditions as a landlady. Although I do use gloves and I try my best to be careful I feel its better to be safe that sorry.

What exactly is tetanus?

Tetanus is bacteria that enters the body through cuts, scratches and wounds. Most people would be concerned as I was when bitten by a dog as well as when I stepped on a rusty nail and it punctured my foot.

Some people refer to this disease as “the Lockjaw disease” because of the stiffening of the muscles in the head and neck so that you can`t open your mouth, swallow and sometimes even breathe.

Its very painful and usually the muscle tightness is all over the body and not just the head and neck.

One in ten people who are infected with tetanus dies even with the best medical treatment.

The good news is that since the tetanus vaccine the cases have dropped by about 99%.

BUT with any vaccine some people should not take it, this includes people who have had serve allergic reactions to vaccines in the past. Talk to your doctor before if you suffer from seizures or ever had a condition called Guillain Barre` Syndrome or if you just do not feel good that day.

After the vaccine you may experience mild reactions such as tiredness ( I did ) Swelling at injection site ( I did), headache or fever.

Allergic reactions include : rash or hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, dizziness and weakness.  If any of these occur go to the hospital or call 9-1-1.

What if you take the vaccine and it harms or causes injury to you?

Call the National vaccine injury compensation program at 1-800-338-2382 There is a time limit to filing.

Have you had a tetanus shot in the past ten years?

By Andria Perry

Photo By Pixabay

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Written by Andria Perry

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