Tetanus
Tetanus is a disease caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. The bacteria secrete a neurotoxin that affects the central nervous system and causes muscular contractions so fast that they can't be distinguished from each other and become one continuous spasm. The old-fashioned name for tetanus was lockjaw, from the contraction and stiffness in the jaw muscles that was characteristic of the disease.
Many of us are aware that if we hurt ourselves while gardening or doing household repairs, we may be susceptible to tetanus infection. But how many of us are up to date with our tetanus immunisations? Tetanus can be fatal but it is preventable by vaccination.
Tetanus vaccination
The current Australian National Immunisation Program Schedule includes tetanus vaccination in childhood. It is given as a 3-dose course at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with boosters at 4 years and at 15 to 17 years.
If you received your course of 3 doses as an adult, you should receive booster doses 10 and 20 years after the first injection.
The Schedule recommends that all adults should receive a booster at age 50 — unless they have already had a tetanus booster in the previous 10 years.
Adults who receive wounds that are at high risk of becoming infected with tetanus should have a tetanus booster if they haven't had one within the past 5 years.
Tetanus-prone wounds
Wounds carry a tetanus risk if they are deep, involve a compound fracture, or there is a possibility that they are contaminated with soil, dust or manure (the bacterium that causes tetanus lives in the soil). However, tetanus infection can occur after seemingly trivial or unnoticed wounds.
Some types of wound that would put a person at risk of tetanus are:
- gardening wounds;
- wood splinters;
- punctures from metal nails;
- bite wounds;
- burns; and
- wounds contaminated with soil, dust or manure.
Check when you last had a tetanus vaccination! If you're not sure, ask your doctor for advice.
Last Reviewed: 18 November 2009
- 1. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, National Health and Medical Research Council [website]. The Australian Immunisation Handbook, 9th Edition. 3.21 Tetanus (updated 2008, Mar 26). http://immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook-tetanus (accessed 2009, Nov 20)
