How long do tetanus jabs last

Minor open wounds may not require medical…. Symptoms of an infected wound can include increasing pain, redness, and swelling in the affected area. A person may be able to treat minor wound…. How often should you get a tetanus shot?

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Duration How often Safety Why get one? Causes Symptoms Treatment Seeing a doctor Summary Tetanus, or lockjaw, is a medical emergency that can be prevented by vaccination. How long does a tetanus shot last? Share on Pinterest A tetanus shot provides most people with about 10 years of protection. Is a tetanus shot safe? Why does a person need a tetanus shot?

How does a person contract tetanus? Symptoms of tetanus. When to seek medical help. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What are the side effects of the tetanus shot? Medically reviewed by Zara Risoldi Cochrane, Pharm. Everything you need to know about tetanus Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a severe infection caused by a bacterium that affects the brain and nervous system. What happens if a dog bite gets infected?

What to know about open wound care. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Want to reduce pain in your knees and be more active? Eat smarter and reduce your risk for a heart attack? Sleep the entire night so you have more energy during the day? Take control of your health right now!

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles.

Health news headlines can be deceiving. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Preventing preeclampsia may be as simple as taking an aspirin. Caring for an aging parent?

Tips for enjoying holiday meals. A conversation about reducing the harms of social media. Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys. Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy?

Vaccinations Do adults really need tetanus booster shots? May 14, Print This Page Click to Print. You might also be interested in…. Harvard Health Letter Want to reduce pain in your knees and be more active? It also reduces your risk of diphtheria. These conditions can be deadly to newborns. Protection begins to decrease after about 10 years, which is why doctors advise booster shots every decade.

Tetanus is rare in the United States. An average of only 30 cases are reported each year. Vaccination is essential to prevent tetanus. Complications from tetanus vaccinations are extremely rare, and the disease itself poses far more risks than the vaccine.

If you think you or your child may be having an allergic reaction to the vaccine, seek immediate medical help. Signs of an allergic reaction may include:.

The spores of the bacteria live in soil, dust, saliva, and manure. If an open cut or wound is exposed to the spores, they can enter your body. Once inside the body, the spores produce toxic bacteria that affects muscles and nerves. Tetanus is sometimes called lockjaw because of the stiffness it can cause in the neck and jaw. The most common scenario for catching tetanus is stepping on a dirty nail or sharp shard of glass or wood that pierces through the skin.

The time between exposure to tetanus and the appearance of symptoms ranges between a few days to a few months. Most people with tetanus will experience symptoms within 14 days of exposure.

Tetanus can be fatal. The Immunization Action Coalition states that about 10 percent of reported cases have led to death.

You can manage symptoms by using sedatives to control muscle spasms. Most treatment consists of trying to reduce exposure to the toxins produced by the bacteria. To do that, your doctor may advise:.