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?
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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!
I would consider hep C aswell
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:
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:
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.
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
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!!
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! :(