Tetanus Vaccination in trichy

Tetanus bacteria enter the body through wounds or cuts that are contaminated with the bacterium's spores. Soil, dust, and animal faeces can carry these spores.

Common symptoms include muscle stiffness and rigidity, especially in the jaw (lockjaw), neck, and abdominal muscles. Other symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms, fever, sweating, and elevated heart rate.

Tetanus is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection. The severity of tetanus can vary depending on factors such as the extent of the infection, the individual's overall health, and the timeliness of medical intervention. Here are some key points regarding the seriousness of tetanus:

• Muscle Stiffness and Spasms: Tetanus typically causes muscle stiffness and spasms, especially in the jaw (lockjaw), neck, and abdominal muscles. These muscle contractions can be extremely painful and may affect the ability to move, swallow, or breathe properly.
• Respiratory Complications: Severe muscle spasms in the chest and diaphragm can interfere with breathing, potentially leading to respiratory distress or respiratory failure. In some cases, artificial ventilation or intubation may be required to support breathing.
• Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction: Tetanus can affect the autonomic nervous system, which controls automatic bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sweating. This can result in fluctuations in blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and excessive sweating.
• Complications: If left untreated or not promptly managed, tetanus can lead to complications such as pneumonia, aspiration of food or fluids into the lungs, fractures or injuries due to muscle spasms, and even death. The mortality rate of tetanus can be significant, especially in areas with limited access to medical care.

Long Recovery: Recovering from tetanus can be a slow process, and the symptoms may persist for weeks or months. Rehabilitation and supportive care are often necessary to regain muscle strength and function.

Treatment for tetanus involves wound care, administration of tetanus immune globulin (TIG), and supportive care to manage symptoms and complications. However, prevention through vaccination is key since there is no cure for tetanus.

Tetanus can be prevented through several measures. Here are some key ways to prevent tetanus:

• Vaccination: The most effective method of preventing tetanus is through vaccination. Make sure you and your family members receive the recommended tetanus vaccines. In most countries, tetanus vaccination is included as part of routine childhood immunization schedules. Additionally, booster doses are necessary to maintain long-term protection, typically recommended every 10 years.

• Tetanus Prophylaxis: If you have a wound and your tetanus vaccination status is incomplete or uncertain, seek medical advice. A healthcare professional will assess the need for tetanus prophylaxis, which may involve a tetanus vaccine booster and/or tetanus immune globulin (TIG) injection to provide immediate protection against tetanus.
• Wound Care: Proper wound care is crucial to prevent tetanus infection. Cleanse any wounds promptly and thoroughly with soap and clean water. Use an antiseptic solution to disinfect the wound if available. Remove any dirt, foreign objects, or dead tissue from the wound. Cover the wound with a clean, sterile dressing to protect it from further contamination.
• Tetanus Prone Wounds: Be particularly cautious with certain types of wounds that are more prone to tetanus infection. These include deep puncture wounds (such as those from nails or animal bites), wounds with significant tissue damage, and wounds contaminated with soil, manure, or saliva. Seek medical attention promptly for proper evaluation and, if necessary, administration of tetanus prophylaxis.
• Maintain Good Hygiene: Practicing good hygiene can reduce the risk of tetanus. Regularly wash your hands with soap and water, especially before eating or handling food. Keep your surroundings clean and minimize exposure to dirt or potentially contaminated materials.
• Education and Awareness: Spread awareness about tetanus and its prevention within your community. Encourage others to ensure their tetanus vaccinations are up to date and promote proper wound care practices.

Remember, prevention is crucial as there is no cure for tetanus. By staying up to date with vaccinations, taking precautions with wounds, and practicing good hygiene, you can significantly reduce the risk of tetanus infection.

Here is a list of different combination of diphtheria vaccines available in India:

• Tetanus toxoid (TT) Vaccine: The TT vaccine, also known as Tetanus Toxoid vaccine, is a vaccine that provides protection against tetanus. It contains a purified form of the tetanus toxin, which is called tetanus toxoid. The TT vaccine is usually given as a single-component vaccine and does not include protection against other diseases like diphtheria or pertussis. It is commonly used for tetanus immunization in individuals who have completed their primary vaccination series but require periodic booster doses to maintain long-term immunity.
• 2 in 1 Vaccine (Diphtheria-Tetanus (DT) vaccine): This combination vaccine protects against diphtheria and tetanus. It contains diphtheria toxoid and tetanus toxoid. The DT vaccine is used for children who cannot receive the pertussis component due to medical reasons or for individuals requiring a booster dose of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids.
• 3 in 1 Vaccine (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) vaccine): This is a combination vaccine that provides protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). In 3 in 1 combination, there are two sub-types of Vaccine:

1. Painful vaccine (DTwP): This vaccine contains diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, and whole-cell pertussis components. DTwP is considered painful as it results into severe pain, fever, vomiting, swelling or redness or inflammation at the site of injection because the vaccine contains whole cell of pertussis bacteria which is highly immunogenic. The DTwP vaccine is typically administered to infants and young children as part of the routine immunization schedule.
2. Painless vaccine (DTaP): This vaccine contains diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis components. DTaP consists of acellular part which is less immunogenic and hence the side effects are very mild. But remember painless does not mean that the child is not going to have any pain during shot or injection. It is just that post effects are milder in painless as compared to painful. 

• 4 in 1 Vaccine (DTP-HiB)

This combination Vaccine protects against four diseases which are diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria, a common cause of serious diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia in children.

• 5 in 1 Vaccine (DTP-HiB-Hep B)

This combination Vaccine protects against four diseases which are diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria and Hepatitis-B that protect against hepatitis B virus, a viral infection that affects the liver.

• 6 in 1 Vaccine (DTP-HiB-Hep B)

The 6 in 1 vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against six diseases in a single shot.

This vaccine protects against are diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria, Hepatitis-B and polio (inactivated polio virus) that provide immunity against polio, a viral infection that affects the nervous system and can cause paralysis.

 

The combination vaccine offers the advantage of providing protection against multiple diseases with fewer injections, simplifying the immunization process for infants and young children. It is typically administered according to the recommended immunization schedule provided by local health authorities.

Following a well-timed initial series of TT containing vaccines, ~100% of beneficiaries attain protective levels of tetanus antitoxin in their bloodstream. Nonetheless, over time, the levels of antitoxins decrease, necessitating routine booster doses every 10 years.

It is not uncommon for both children and adults to experience local reactions after receiving solo TT or combination Td/DTP vaccines. These local reactions may include redness and swelling at the injection site, as well as soreness and tenderness in the area where the vaccine was administered.
Additionally, mild systemic reactions like fever can also occur. These side effects usually go away on their own within a few days. Serious side effects from the tetanus vaccine are rare.

The initial series of tetanus vaccination in childhood provides immunity, but booster doses are required every 10 years to maintain long-term protection.

If you have a deep or dirty wound and your tetanus vaccinations are not up to date, it is important to seek medical care. A healthcare professional will assess the need for a tetanus booster shot or immunoglobulin injections based on the severity of the wound and your immunization history.

You can get the tetanus vaccination by making an appointment with your doctor. Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment at your nearest INVC Vaccination centre or request a home visit by the INVC Vaccination team to receive the vaccine at your convenience.