Can i get tetanus from a scratch

Spores of tetanus bacteria are everywhere in the environment, including soil, dust, and manure. The spores develop into bacteria when they enter the body. Stepping on nails or other sharp objects is one way people are exposed to the bacteria that cause tetanus.

These bacteria are in the environment and get into the body through breaks in the skin. The spores can get into the body through broken skin, usually through injuries from contaminated objects.

Tetanus bacteria are more likely to infect certain breaks in the skin. The disease itself is rare in the United States because the tetanus vaccine is so effective and is regularly administered to our population. The tetanus bacteria can infect us with any break of the skin.

The 6-year-old Oregon boy recently in the news for contracting tetanus was in the perfect scenario for the disease to take hold.

Animal bite injuries and wounds that could be contaminated with dust, soil or feces put us at risk for tetanus. Crush injuries, too, are high-risk because they create lots of spaces where tetanus bacteria can develop. The onset of tetanus usually begins between three days and three weeks after an injury. Symptoms include muscle pain, muscle spasms, difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing. With tetanus, the body has an overstimulation of muscle, which is what causes those painful spasms and contractions.

Treatment includes limiting stimuli in the room, as something as simple as lights or sounds can trigger muscle spasms. This treatment is in addition to antibiotics, wound care, medicine to help control muscle spasms and a medication called human tetanus immune globulin. If needed, mechanical ventilation and supplemental nutrition are used. Avoiding wounds in general, of course, will reduce your tetanus risk.

The best way to lower your risk of contracting tetanus is by staying up-to-date on your tetanus vaccine, which requires a booster shot every ten years. Everyone who has not had their tetanus vaccine is vulnerable to this condition. Tetanus impacts the nerves that control your muscles, so you may experience difficulty swallowing, or feel stiffness in your jaw, abdomen, chest, back, and neck. Here are some of the most common symptoms of tetanus:. If you start feeling muscle stiffness or having trouble breathing , seek emergency medical care.

Tetanus can be treated with a variety of therapies and medications, and your doctor will choose a treatment method based on the severity of your symptoms. Emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye or the beat of the heart. Tetanus vaccination is given as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme against tetanus. But if you're not sure how many doses you have received, you may need a booster dose after an injury that breaks your skin.

If you have definitely received 5 doses of the tetanus vaccine, you're fully vaccinated and don't need a booster dose. If you have a tetanus-prone wound, additional treatment may be given, even if you have been fully vaccinated.

If you have a tetanus-prone wound and it's considered to be high risk, treatment with tetanus immunoglobulin TIG is recommended.