Tetanus is some serious bacteria that enter the body through an exposed wound. The infection, however, has become rare in the 21st century. The bacteria mostly attack people who have not received the tetanus vaccine, or those who haven’t completed the vaccination dose. It’s necessary to be in the know about tetanus before embarking on your travels abroad. Get in touch with us to find out more and get a Tetanus vaccine in Birmingham.

How do you get tetanus?

Tetanus usually lives in soil and animal manure.  It can survive outside the human body for a long period of time.
When the bacteria enter the body through an exposed wound, they can spread at a high rate while producing a toxin that interferes with nerves, resulting in symptoms such as muscle stiffness and spasms.

Tetanus can attack the body through an exposed wound and can spread at high speed. It releases a toxin that interferes with nerves, leading to symptoms like muscle stiffness and spasms.

Tetanus can invade your body through:

– Grazes and cuts
– Burns
– Skin tears or splits
– Injection of contaminated drugs
– Body injections, piercings, and tattoos
– Eye injuries
– Animal bites

However, the bacteria can’t move from one individual to another.

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Symptoms of tetanus

Symptoms that accompany tetanus mostly begin to appear after 4 to 21 days from the date of exposure.

Below are the most common symptoms of Tetanus.

– Increased heartbeat
– Sweating
– Jaw muscle stiffness, leading to difficulties in opening your mouth
– Fever
– Painful muscle spasms, leading to breathing and swallowing difficulties

The symptoms can worsen in case of a lack of medical attention.

Treatment and Tetanus vaccine in Birmingham

If you have suspicions of a tetanus infection in your wound, but there are still no symptoms, the first move your pharmacist will make is to thoroughly clean your wound. An injection of tetanus immunoglobulin will also be provided to you.

You will get the Tetanus vaccine in case you haven’t received full vaccination before. Antibiotics may be given to you as well.

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Tetanus vaccine in Birmingham

Because of the NHS Childhood Vaccination Programme, the tetanus vaccine is available for all UK residents.

A complete vaccination programme comprises 5 injections, normally administered in the order below.

– The first 3 doses are given, as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine, at the ages of 8, 12, and 16 weeks
– The second phase involves the booster dose at the age of 3 years and 4 months, as part of the 4-in-1 pre-school booster
– The last dose is for 14-year-olds, as part of the 3-in-1 teenage booster

The tetanus vaccine plan that comes with five injections should be enough to provide long-term protection against the bacteria. That said, it’s still advisable to seek medical attention if you get a deep or dirty wound, no matter your vaccination status.

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How to get a tetanus travel jab

Consider it necessary to get a full vaccination against tetanus before visiting any foreign country. You should seek advice from your pharmacist in advance of your trip.

The 3-in-1 teenage booster may be given to you for free, through the NHS, and will also protect against polio and diphtheria.

In case you haven’t been vaccinated against Tetanus, you may have to get the vaccine before you leave. The vaccine doses are usually a month apart, but you can complete the dose when you return if time isn’t on your side.

Get in touch with us today to book your appointment or use the booking form below.

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This blog post was written on behalf of The Travel Health Clinic by Pharmacy Mentor.