Do adults really need tetanus booster shots?

If you haven’t had a tetanus booster shot in the past decade, your doctor may recommend getting one. Many people think of a tetanus shot as something you only need if you step on a rusty nail. Yet even in the absence of a puncture wound, this vaccine is recommended for all adults at least every 10 years. But why? A group of researchers recently questioned whether you need to repeat tetanus vaccines on a regular schedule. What is a tetanus booster? Booster shots are repeat vaccinations you receive after your first series of immunizations as a child. Protection from certain vaccines can wane over time, which is why doctors advise boosters. The tetanus vaccine is not just for tetanus though. It’s bundled with a vaccine for diphtheria and sometimes one for pertussis (the bacteria that causes whooping cough). What are tetanus and diphtheria? Tetanus and diphtheria are rare but serious diseases that can cause severe complications in those infected. Tetanus, sometimes known as “lockjaw,” is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called Clostridium tetani. When this bacteria invades the body, it can produce a toxin that leads to painful muscle tightening and stiffness. In severe cases, it can lead to trouble breathing, seizures, and death. Tetanus does not spread from person to person. Usually it enters the body through contaminated breaks in the skin — stepping on a nail that has the bacteria on it, for example. There are about 30 reported cases of tetanus in the US eac...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Men's Health Vaccines Women's Health Source Type: blogs