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Tetanus often referred to as ‘lockjaw’ is a serious but rare condition that is caused by bacteria entering the wound. This condition affects the body, causing painful muscle spasms or locking of the jaw, and can even be fatal if left untreated. The tetanus vaccine is one that can help prevent the tetanus disease and is a combination of four vaccines that are used to help prevent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis or whooping cough. At Apollo Clinic, we understand the importance of vaccinations, particularly for children, and are therefore committed to supporting you and ensuring that your child is given the best medical treatment possible.

What is Tetanus?

Tetanus is a serious disease that is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani that are often found in the soil or dust. The disease is caused when the bacteria release a toxin into a person’s body. Tetanus often gets into the human body through cuts or wounds and cause extremely painful cramps or spasms and can even lead to death. Therefore, the tetanus vaccination for children is the most effective way to protect your child from this serious disease.

The tetanus symptoms usually develop within 4 to 21 days after the infection. A few of them include:

• A high temperature or fever
• Headache
• Muscle stiffness that begins in the jaw, later affecting the neck, arms, legs or abdomen
• Restlessness and irritability
• Trouble swallowing
• Sweating
• High blood pressure
• Muscle spasms in the face
• A higher heartbeat rate

If left untreated, the symptoms can continue to get worse over time and can cause life-threatening problems such as suffocation or even a cardiac arrest.

What is a Tetanus Vaccine and How Does It Help?

A tetanus vaccine is one that can prevent tetanus. A full course of vaccination requires about five injections that are usually given as per the following schedule:

• The first three doses are given as a part of the 5-in-1 vaccine for babies of age eight, 12 and 16 weeks.
• A booster dose is given as a part of the 4-in-1 pre-school booster at the age of three years and four months.
• A final booster is given as a part of the 3-in-1 teenager booster at the age of 14 years.

This course of five injections will provide you protection against tetanus for a long time. However, if your child has a deep wound, especially caused by a knife or a fall, it’s best to get medical advice immediately.

Who Should Get the Tetanus Vaccine and When?

Doctors usually recommend that your child must get five doses of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine for the best possible protection. This vaccine will protect your child from tetanus, a serious disease that can even lead to death. Besides, it also protects your child from painful muscle spasms that are caused by tetanus and keeps your child from falling sick often. Therefore, a tetanus vaccination is important not only for babies and children but also for teens and adults.

Additional Points to Remember:

• A tetanus vaccine prevents one from tetanus.
• Most children do not have side effects. However, if the side effects occur, they are usually mild and includes redness, pain and swelling at the injection site, fever and vomiting.
• In severe cases, it may even cause seizures or jerking of the muscles.

At Apollo Clinic, we understand the importance of your child’s health and therefore, provide services for vaccinations, one of which includes the tetanus vaccination for children that will help protect your child from tetanus. Offering immunisations for infants and children, we aim at ensuring that your child is safe from diseases and lives a healthy life.