Tetanus ( TT ) Vaccination Why should may child get a tetanus shot? Protects your child from tetanus, which can be a serious and even deadly disease, as well as diphtheria and whooping cough ( pertussis ). Protects your child from painful muscle stiffness from tetanus. Keeps your child from missing school or child care, and you from missing work. What vaccines protect against tetanus? There are 2 vaccines that help protect children against tetanus: DTaP and Tdap. Both also protect against diphtheria and whooping cough. these shots do not offer lifetime protection. People need booster shots to keep up protection. What are the side effects? Most children don't have any side effects from DTaP or Tdap. The side effects that do occur from DTaP are usually mild, and may include: Sore or swelling where the shot was given, fever, Fussiness, Feeling tired, Loss of appetite, Vomiting, More serious side effects are very rare but with DTaP can include: A fever over 105 degrees Nonstop crying for 3 hours or more Seizures ( jerking, twitching of the muscles, or staring ) The side effects from Tdap are usually mild, and may include: Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given Mild fever, Headache, Feeling tired, Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomachache Some preteens and teens might faint after getting Tdap or any other shot. What Is Tetanus? Tetanus, also know as lockjaw, is a serious but preventable disease that affects the body's muscle and nerves. Starting at 2 months of age, all babies in the United States are vaccinated against tetanus. the disease is much more common in developing countries than it is in the United States. What Causes Tetanus? Tetanus is caused by a type of bacteria called clostridium tetani that usually live in soil. the bacteria make a toxin ( a chemical or poison that harms the body ). this toxin attaches to nerves around a wound area and travels inside the nerves to the brain or spinal cord. there it interferes with the normal activity of nerves, especially the motor nerves that send direct messages to muscles. In the United States, most cases of tetanus follow a contaminated cut or deep puncture injury, such as a wound caused by stepping on a nail. Sometimes the injury is so small the person never even sees a doctor. Tetanus is most common in: Injrries that involve dead skin, such as burns, frostbite, gangrene, or crush injuries wounds contaminated with soil, saliva ( spit ), or faces, especially if not cleaned well skin punctures from nonsterile needles, such as with drug use or self-performed tattooing or body piercing.
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