Open Association of Landscape Industries
Tetanus booster
I was having a small mole removed on my back ten years ago when the nurse said "What do you do for a living Helen?" I replied "I'm a gardener" and after tapping into her computer she said "Oh, it looks like you need a tetanus booster jab-here we are"-bosh & in it went via one of my beautiful parts.
Now that was ten years ago and after the recent discussion about the 'flu jab I'm wondering whether I might need another Tetanus jab or not?
They're not in the least bit pleasant (but then what needle is?) and I'd rather go without but if I need a top up I'll be a brave soldier. Who's had a tetanus jab recently? And what is the current advice for boosters does anyone know?
Is there a doctor in the house?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Busy Bee Garden Services Limited on -
It used to be the advice that in you worked in horticulture that you should have a jab every 5 years but when I last went to be jabbed up for a trip to East Africa the nurse said that only 3 jabs were needed in a lifetime, not sure if thats the general advice now!
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Permalink Reply by John on -
Yes if you have had a few ? tetanus jabs then you are told you are ok for life, but if you have a really deep gash down to the bone (quoting from the nurse), then they always give you a booster.
Make sure you don't tense the arm they are jabbing with the three inch long needle, I always look the other way and pretend the arm belongs to someone else, like Rowly for example.
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Permalink Reply by Rob Glassborow on -
I had mine 2 weeks ago, the last time I had one was in 2000 before going to India. You need a booster every 10 years if you are in a high risk group, and having hands in soil on a regular basis is one of those groups.
Now, I hate needles, and have been known to faint during the process. But this was quick, and a bit sore (less sore than an insect bite) for a day or so after. You should have 5 max in your lifetime, then it is considered that you will have enough immunity.
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Permalink Reply by Cesare Harradine on -
I would consider hep C aswell
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Rowly Hill on -
Thanks John - glad I'm of some use.
I think tetanus innoculations start as a child and you get three ( not quite sure if the time span though). If you have two additional boosters you are then covered for life ( 5 in total as Colin has said above).
Some adults may not be fully covered as the full immunisation programme was not started until 1961 - old gits like John then!!
As John mentioned if you do get a tetanus prone wound you'll be jabbed with Tetanus immuglobin...whatever.
John www.acegardenservices.co.uk said:Yes if you have had a few ? tetanus jabs then you are told you are ok for life, but if you have a really deep gash down to the bone (quoting from the nurse), then they always give you a booster.
Make sure you don't tense the arm they are jabbing with the three inch long needle, I always look the other way and pretend the arm belongs to someone else, like Rowly for example.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Going into the winter, especially if you intend to be working with manure based composts or mulches, it's worth thinking about tetanus injections.
From the NHS website:
Tetanus is a serious but rare infection caused by bacteria. It usually occurs when a flesh wound becomes contaminated. If it is not treated, tetanus may lead to complications, which can be fatal.
However, vaccination and improvements in treatment mean that deaths from tetanus are now very rare in the UK. In England in 2009, there were no recorded deaths from tetanus.
Causes
Tetanus is caused by a type of bacteria called Clostridium tetani. The bacteria can live in many different substances including:
- soil
- house dust
- animal and human waste, such as manure
The tetanus bacteria usually enter the body through a wound in the skin or a serious burn. Once inside, they multiply and release a powerful type of poison, known as a neurotoxin.
The neurotoxin disrupts the normal workings of the nerves, causing symptoms such as stiffness and muscle spasms.
Read more about the causes of tetanus and who is at risk.
Other symptoms of tetanus include:
- muscle stiffness and spasms in the jaw muscles – this is often referred to as lockjaw
- difficulty swallowing
Treating tetanus
If you have a deep wound that could become contaminated by the tetanus bacteria and you have been vaccinated, you will be given a medication called tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) as a precaution.
If you have not been vaccinated and you develop a tetanus infection, you will need to be admitted to hospital for treatment. Treatment usually involves a combination of medications, such as antibiotics, muscle relaxants and antitoxins, to combat the effects of the infection.
A ventilator (a machine to assist with breathing) can be used to help prevent suffocation.
Most people survive the infection, although it can take up to four months to make a full recovery.
Read more about treating tetanus.
Tetanus vaccination
A vaccination to protect against tetanus is given as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.
The full course of the tetanus vaccination consists of five doses. The first three doses are given during early childhood. This is followed by two booster doses. The first booster dose is given at around four years of age. The second one is given 10 years later.
After the full course, you should have lifelong immunity against tetanus. However, if you or your child has a deep wound, it's best to get medical advice.
If you are not sure whether you've had the full course, for example because you were born in another country, contact your GP for advice.
Read more about preventing tetanus.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Austin Powell-Allen on -
Yes I was told every 10 years, worth while ringing your surgery and checking or just pop in and they can check on there system
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Permalink Reply by John on
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One of my employees is going on a Christmas tour of the Himalayas, and after having his jabs yesterday, he has told me some new information.
Many old beliefs are not true !!!!!!
Tetnus - get a booster if you have not one in the last ten years, regardless of how many you have previously had. PLUS - unbelievably, all hospital visits/jabs are not known by your GP.
The old Polio jab need a booster, as it is making a comeback in adults.
Hepatitus A and B vaccination jabs are given to all medical staff, so anyone working in close contact with employees, where contact with blood from minor accidents or major incidents, should check with their GPs as soon as possible for possible dangers.
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Permalink Reply by John Cooke on -
Just to confuse things further, as I've only just started up my Landscape business, I supplement my income as a porter in A&E at our local hospital.
I'm always covered in cuts and full of thorns and on checking with my medical colleagues, they reckon adults don't need, nor get, tetnus jabs anymore. Frontline medical staff get the Hep jabs because the possibilty of infection is high. It is unlikely anyone would get it, including medical staff if you take care. Have a box of rubber gloves in the van, which you should be wearing when working with mineral oils, anyway and put them on to administer first aid.
I would think LJN members are at more risk from Weils Disease (Leptospirosis): Don't Lick Rats!!
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens on -
I was told by our local hospital that it was every 10 years. This was when I visited them a couple of years ago when our dear cat decided to take a chunk out of my leg! :(
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Permalink Reply by John on
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The polio jab is required before travelling to the Himalayas, and I read somewhere that
the live vaccine produces polio in the faeces two days after having it.
I was thinking about having this week off .... lol but apparently the vaccine that they
now use is not live. - Must put my face mask away, take off the gloves and start eating again.
John www.acegardenservices.co.uk said:One of my employees is going on a Christmas tour of the Himalayas, and after having his jabs yesterday, he has told me some new information.
Many old beliefs are not true !!!!!!
Tetnus - get a booster if you have not one in the last ten years, regardless of how many you have previously had. PLUS - unbelievably, all hospital visits/jabs are not known by your GP.
The old Polio jab need a booster, as it is making a comeback in adults.
Hepatitus A and B vaccination jabs are given to all medical staff, so anyone working in close contact with employees, where contact with blood from minor accidents or major incidents, should check with their GPs as soon as possible for possible dangers.
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