Remember to ensure that your vaccination protection against tetanus is up to date
Tetanus is a serious disease that affects the nervous system and causes painful muscle spasms. The disease can be effectively prevented with vaccinations, so it is important to keep the protection provided by the vaccinations up to date throughout your life.
Tetanus vaccines are included in the national vaccination programme. Children are given the vaccination at a child health clinic and at school. Adults must make sure that their tetanus vaccinations are up to date themselves. Protection against tetanus should be boosted with a vaccine at the age of 25, 45 and 65. In addition, persons aged over 65 get the vaccine at 10-year intervals. The vaccination is available free of charge from the health centre.
Take into account the risk of tetanus in outdoor activities and when gardening
Tetanus is caused by a bacterium that is commonly found in soil. You should take into account the risk of tetanus, for example, in outdoor activities and when gardening or at the summer house, and keep your vaccination protection up to date.
Tetanus can be contracted through a cut, broken skin or from an animal bite. Burns and frostbites may also involve a risk of tetanus.
It is important to clean all wounds carefully. If you have a deep and tattered wound, you should seek medical advice. In connection with wound care, the doctor will assess whether you need an extra tetanus booster, if more than 10 years have passed from the previous vaccine.
“The antibodies created by vaccines prevent the toxin produced by the bacterium from attaching to the nervous system. The only way to protect yourself from the disease is to take the vaccine, as tetanus does not spread from person to person. With regular vaccinations, the level of antibodies stays at a sufficiently hight level,” says Medical Specialist Mika Muhonen from THL.
If the person develops the disease, treating it is important because if untreated, the disease will lead to death. The disease is treated with antibiotics and an antibody. In addition, the patient often has to be admitted to intensive care. Even with treatment, 1–2 out of ten patients die.
Because of the high vaccination coverage and the good level of hygiene, tetanus is very rare in Finland: 1–2 cases are usually diagnosed every year.
Additional information
Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hib combination vaccines (THL)
Mika Muhonen
medical Specialist
THL
tel. +358 29 524 7897
[email protected]
