What should you know about a tetanus shot?

Tetanus bacteria can enter through a wound, especially a deep, dirty, puncture, crush, or burn injury. The toxin affects the nervous system and may cause jaw stiffness, trouble swallowing, muscle rigidity, and spasms. Tetanus does not spread from person to person.

Vaccination prepares immune defences before exposure. Protection can depend on your previous vaccination history and the type of wound, so a clinician may recommend a booster or additional treatment after an injury.

Wash the wound with clean running water, remove visible dirt without digging into the tissue, and cover it with a clean dressing. Contact a clinic promptly for a deep, contaminated, puncture, crush, or animal-related wound, particularly if you cannot recall your vaccination history. Do not seal a dirty wound with household glue.

Get emergency help for jaw tightness, difficulty swallowing or breathing, severe muscle spasms, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness after an injury. Seek prompt wound care for uncontrolled bleeding, loss of sensation, an embedded object, spreading redness, pus, or fever. A clean-looking wound can still need vaccination advice.

Ask whether your wound needs a tetanus booster, an additional protective medicine, stitches, or antibiotics. Tell the clinician when the injury happened, how it occurred, and which vaccinations you have received. Ask about expected injection reactions and how to care for the wound while it heals.