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Tetanus vaccination does not give immunity for life and should be repeated every 10 years. It is worth remembering, because in summer we spend a lot of time in nature and it is not difficult to contact tetanus (Clostridium tetani) in the garden, on the plot or in the forest.
Of course, we can become infected with tetanus all year round, but it is in the spring and holiday season that the most cases are recorded. The group of people particularly exposed to tetanus infection includes people who work in contact with soil and farm animals. Tetanus "hunts" hunters and foresters, but is equally eager to "attack" herbivorous animal breeders and cultivators.
What is tetanus?
It is a dangerous disease caused by a neurotoxin produced by tetanus bacteria. The toxins produced by tetanus spores damage the nervous system. Untreated tetanus very often leads to death, and hospitalization, even clinical, does not guarantee a cure. It is estimated that the death rate from tetanus is around 50%. It depends on the patient's age, severity and type of clinical symptoms and the time on which treatment was started.
Tetanus vaccination
Tetanus is the most dangerous for newborns. Statistics show that 8 out of 10 babies suffering from this disease die. In many countries, tetanus is still one of the most dangerous diseases - in 2008, about 50 thousand people died from it in the world. newborns. Fortunately, there are much less cases in Poland. Due to the introduction of compulsory vaccinations, the number of infections has remained at a constant, low level for many years. Annually, from a dozen to several dozen cases are recorded. In 2013, 14 cases were registered, including 7 deaths, and in 2014, 13 people fell ill with tetanus.2 For comparison, in 1954, 456 infections were recorded, as a result of which as many as 351 patients died.3 In our country, tetanus most often attacks people over 60 years of age. lives in whom the disease is usually severe.
In Poland, tetanus vaccination is obligatory for children and adolescents up to the age of 19.
According to the mandatory Protective Vaccination Program, each child should be vaccinated with 4 doses of DTP vaccine at 2, 3-4, 5 and 16-18 months of age (primary vaccination)and booster doses at 6 years of age (DTaP vaccine) and 14 years of age (dT vaccine or as recommended dTap vaccination). The above vaccination schedule is intended to achieve permanent immunity. - explains the drug. med. - Mariola Malicka, internist at the Damian Medical Center.
However, not everyone knows that tetanus vaccination does not give immunity for life and should be repeated every 10 years. Preferably a dTap vaccine (against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) or another vaccine with a tetanus component. The tetanus vaccine in combination with the diphtheria (dT) vaccine should be administered (according to the obligatory protective vaccination program) to persons aged 19 years. In contrast, adults who have not been vaccinated in the past or have not had documented vaccinations should be vaccinated with 3 doses of the vaccine in a schedule of the first two doses 4-6 weeks apart, and the third dose after 6-12 months, explains Dr. Malicka.
How to recognize tetanus?
Symptoms of the disease at first are not very characteristic and may resemble the flu (feeling crushed, sleeping problems, headaches, sweating). This is followed by very painful muscle contractions. Cramps can lead to bone fractures and even suffocation.
Tetanus - is it threatening me?
Tetanus rods live in the ground and can get into the human body by cutting the so-called bruised, crushed and stab wounds, but also through barely visible cuts, soiled with earth. Therefore, each of us must be aware that there are many seemingly trivial situations that carry a risk of infection, such as a fall on a bicycle, injury while planting flowers, falling in a forest, etc. It is impossible to predict in advance when it may be infection, so it is worth getting the right dose of knowledge about vaccinations in advance at www.zaszczkasiewiedza.pl, remembering about prophylaxis and enjoying the summer to the fullest.
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