How Soon Should a Tetanus Shot Be Given After an Injury?
Everyone has gotten a cut or a scrape. Usually after a minor injury, you clean the cut, and put a band-aid on it. But if what caused the injury was a rusty nail or get soil or dust in the wound, there’s a chance you could get a tetanus infection.
Tetanus is a bacterial disease that goes after your nervous system. Symptoms of a tetanus infection includes jaw muscle spasms, stiff neck muscles, fever, and rapid heart rate. If left untreated, a tetanus infection can be life threatening to some people. There isn’t a known cure for tetanus and treating the infection is mostly managing how the infection is affecting the patient until it goes away.
When Should You Get the Tetanus Vaccine?
Luckily, there is a vaccine that most people receive when they’re infants and children. The DTaP vaccine immunizes against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Infants get the vaccination at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 15-18 months. When they’re between ages 4-6.
Most people then get boosters about every 10 years. If you have an injury where you think tetanus could be a possibility and haven’t had a booster shot within the past 5 years, you should get to the hospital within 24 hours.
It’s important to know that the size of the wound doesn’t matter when it comes to tetanus. If you’re concerned about the wound but have had a vaccine within the past 5 years, you can still go to the hospital to be safe. If you decide to not go to the hospital, you should carefully monitor the wound and should go to the hospital if it gets worse.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of the Tetanus Vaccine?
While tetanus shots are important immunizations and help prevent from a painful bacterial disease, the vaccine can have side effects. But sometimes people can have adverse reactions to the vaccine. People may feel:
- Slight Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle Aches
- Joint Pain
- Pain, Swelling, or Tenderness in Injection Site
These side effects can be common and don’t necessarily mean something is wrong, but it’s a good idea to discuss side effects with your doctor so you know what you could possibly experience after getting the vaccine.
If you’ve been injured by a vaccine, it can be confusing because vaccines are supposed to help your overall health. You can protect your rights with a vaccine injury lawyer from Urban & Taylor. Call today for a free consultation of your case.
