Dear doctor;

Must one always take a tetanus jab after an accident or injury? If yes, how fast?

Eric

Dear Eric,

A jab of tetanus after an accident or injury is advised to prevent tetanus, a potentially fatal illness.  It is caused by the microbe clostridium tetani, which can enter the body through a wound. After entry, it causes damage at the junction of muscles and nerves. This manifests as difficulty in opening the mouth, followed by spasm of other muscles. Spasm of respiratory muscles is fatal.

Tetanus vaccination is given to individuals as children but unless boosters are taken, the immunity provided is reduced or finished. Hence it is advisable to take a shot of tetanus with deep wounds or wounds contaminated with mud. Ideally the vaccine should be taken within a week of the injury, because the time taken for microbe to enter the body and sickness to begin is about one week. It is not needed for minor cuts or abrasions.