Tetanus is a disease caused by a bacteria that lives in dust, dirt and soil.
What is tetanus?
Tetanus is a disease caused by a bacteria that lives in dust, dirt and soil.
How is tetanus spread?
Tetanus cannot be spread from person to person. A person becomes infected with tetanus when the tetanus bacteria enter the body through an opening in the skin such as a cut, scrape or animal bite.
Video credit: Immunize Canada
What are the symptoms of tetanus?
Tetanus symptoms usually start within 14 days of the bacteria entering the body. The tetanus bacteria make a poison that causes painful muscle spasms (tightening of muscles). Tetanus is also called ‘lockjaw’ because the jaw muscle can become so tight that it locks shut.
What are the risks of tetanus?
Tetanus symptoms get worse over time. The muscle spasms can spread all over the body and can be so severe they break bones including the spine. If the poison spreads to the breathing muscles (diaphragm) tetanus can cause death. About 1 in 5 people who get tetanus will die.
How can I prevent getting tetanus?
The best way to not get tetanus is to get immunized. The tetanus vaccine is combined with other vaccines to give protection against several diseases with one shot. The tetanus vaccine is safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get the disease.
Who should get the tetanus vaccine?
The Tetanus vaccine is given free (publicly funded) as part of the B.C. routine immunization schedule.
Adults who were immunized against tetanus when they were a child should get a ‘booster’ every 10 years.
Get immunized against tetanus by making an appointment with your doctor, pharmacist (for those 5 years and older) or Public Health.
Booking an immunization appointment with Public Health
Residents of Fraser East (Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope), call 604-702-4906
Residents in any other area of Fraser Health, call 604-476-7087
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Note: When making an appointment with Public Health, you will be offered a text message reminder through the ImmunizeBC text message reminder system.
What should I do if I get tetanus?
If you have a serious cut or wound (opening to your skin) see a doctor or call your public health unit immediately to discuss treatment. This is especially important if the wound is dirty or you have never had a tetanus vaccine.
Resources
For more information on tetanus and the tetanus vaccine, go to:
- Immunize Canada: Diseases and vaccines
Learn more about diseases that can be prevented by routine immunizations. - ImmunizeBC: Tetanus
Information about tetanus and the tetanus vaccine. - HealthLink BC: Tetanus
Overview of tetanus, what causes it, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. - B.C. Centre for Disease Control: Tetanus
Information for the general public and health professionals on tetanus and the tetanus vaccine. - Immunize Canada: Tetanus
Resources, posters and links to help you understand tetanus and the tetanus vaccine. - Caring for Kids: 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccine
Information for parents from Canada’s paediatricians. - I Boost Immunity
Earn a vaccine for someone in need by answering a quiz. - Kids Boost Immunity
Curated lessons with interactive quizzes that mirror your province's science, health and social studies curriculum – all for free. For every quiz that students complete, they will earn a vaccine for someone in need.