Tetanus is one of those things that you don't give much thought to — it just seems like a remote possibility, lurking vaguely on the edge of awareness. I mean, who even gets tetanus anymore? Just ask Jenny Komenda, of the blog Little Green Notebook — she came down with a nasty bout of tetanus a few months ago and has a major PSA for us all: stay up to date on those shots!
Here at Apartment Therapy we are all about the DIY, and any DIY-er worth their salt knows the wide range of materials, projects, and (let's face it) injuries we deal with on a regular basis. In Jenny's case, she wrestled with an unruly mess of wire fencing (which she turned into a fab table, by the way!) which landed her in the hospital exactly eight days later with, you guessed it, tetanus.
So, first up on the list of things to tackle in 2013: find out when your last tetanus shot was, and check with your doctor to see if you're up to date or if you need a booster (Every 10 years is often the time frame).
And a note to Jenny: We're glad you're okay; thanks for sharing your story as a great reminder to the rest of us!
(Image: Shutterstock)
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As a bonus, tetanus boosters are usually combined with the pertussis (whooping cough) booster now - two birds with one stone!
Thanks for the reminder. Yikes, I didn't think tetanus was even curable . . . just preventable.
Also VERY neccessary if you garden. It's can be in the soil, & if you use organic amendments (read animal poop) you can introduce it yourself. You could always wear gloves & shoes, but what fun is that?
"It can be..."
I need a proofreader.
If you haven't had one in a while be forewarned that it hurts! I had a lump and pain for days in my arm after my last one. Unless they've changed it? I had heard they had added the whooping cough thing in. I don't know if it was in there with my last about ten years ago. But I do remember ouch!!
I second this comment. I cut my finger on a bread knife and went to the doctor to have the cut glued closed. As a precaution, she gave me a tetanus booster, and that night, I awoke with shivers and sweats, a 102 degree fever, and body aches.
I thought my finger had become infected and I had sepsis, but after looking at the finger and seeing no signs of infection, I went back to bed.
In the morning, I called the doc, and she said that such reactions are not uncommon. So yeah, be prepared. It's not like the flu shot. On the upside, of course, is that it lasts for ten years.
The good news is that some of us have no reaction at all to their tetanus booster.
Thanks for the reminder, I'm probably long overdue...
I just got the Tdap (Dtap? Whichever is the adult one) shot Monday. It wasn't too bad actually. I remember my last tetanus shot in the 90's hurting very badly. The shot itself didn't hurt at all really, then I had a day or two of soreness. I'm about back to normal now. It's especially worth it due to the pertussis vaccine. Help prevent it from spreading to vulnerable infants and other populations!
If you know you are going to get the Tetanus shot (yes it's normally a combo thing with pertussis) , take some prophylactic Ibuprofen (advil) or acetaminophen (tylenol) before you get it, and you can take some every 6 to 8 hours for the next 24 hrs (follow the directions on the medication label). This will minimize the sore arm feeling which is very common, and both these meds help at minimizing the mild fever that can sometimes happen as well. I have seen a child die from tetanus... it's an horrific way to die... it is preventable, and most of us are lucky enough to live where the prevention is made relatively simple. I was in Haiti after the earthquake, the kid managed to survive that but not the tetanus... He was brought to us too late.. but we tried... unfortunately he didn't make it. I know this is kind of a bummer comment... a little heavy for AT but ya, go get a tetanus shot... every 10 years, u can and have the opportunity to do it!
It's not actually the rusty nail that will get you, it's the dirt and bacteria that will enter the bloodstream that'll do it!
I was playing frisbee in my backyard last Memorial Day, hopped the fence to retrieve the frisbee and realized I got a pretty nasty scrape. Didn't think much of it until the next day when I saw the infamous red line climbing up my arm. Be careful with this - it's not a very dark line; rather tough to see actually. I had a pretty good workup of meds to get rid of the blood poisoning.
Adults should get a booster shot every 10 years. It is typically a triple antigen with Tetanus, Pertussis and Diphtheria. Most of us got a booster in 6th or 7th grade in school. So if you're over 21, you are likely due for a booster.
I got my booster 2 years ago. I had such an reaction! It felt like I had a flu for 2 days. So I advice schedule wisely.
If you have any doubts about whether getting vaccinated is necessary, please read this article: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10855638