Tetanus is a special infectious disease that occurs through the ingestion of clostridium, harmful organisms, bacteria into the human body. They "live" in the earth, saliva and feces of the animal, and they can penetrate the human body through cuts and open wounds. Throughout life, both children and adults receive many different injuries that lead to ruptures of the skin or mucous membrane. It is precisely such unpleasant moments, when particles of contaminated soil get into the wound, that can lead to the development of the disease.
In order to develop protection against tetanus, a person must be regularly vaccinated with a vaccine that contains a toxoid and a neurotoxin that activate immunity to the disease.
Tetanus shot
Special vaccine is effectively used to immunize people of all ages: from infants to the elderly. Vaccination of pregnant women is especially important to ensure thatthe baby will not become infected even in the womb. After all, the expectant mother during pregnancy is especially at risk of contracting various infections and is most vulnerable. Therefore, do not be surprised if the injection site hurts after a tetanus shot - this is a completely natural reaction.
Maternal protection
Due to the fact that babies have maternal protection against the disease, it is recommended to vaccinate them no earlier than three months after birth. In order for the infection to completely recede, at least 5 doses of the vaccine should be administered: three of which are up to 1 year of life for the crumbs, then at 1.5 years and one more at 7 years. This cannot be stopped - vaccination is carried out every 10 years until the end of a person's life. If for some reason the child cannot be vaccinated, then it is given immediately after the problems that have arisen have been resolved.
Proper vaccination
When it comes to an adult who has never been vaccinated before, here the vaccine can be administered at any age, if there are no contraindications. The scheme is as follows: a month after the first injection, the second is necessarily placed, and after another 6 months - the third. Then the vaccine is given once every 10 years.
How the body might react to a vaccine
After a person is given a vaccine, various reactions or side effects may occur. This is not considered something unusual and wrong, because such symptoms only indicate that the bodyreacts to antibodies and "fights".
Vaccinations are often tolerated without any complications. But do not exclude the possibility of redness at the injection site of the needle, swelling and "bumps". It happens that after a tetanus shot, the injection site hurts. Such a reaction is quite natural and disappears in just a few days. In addition, lethargy, fatigue, fever, mood swings and a constant desire to sleep may appear. Don't panic, this too shall pass.
Tetanus shot: injection site hurts. What to do?
Let's consider the main unpleasant moments that arise after the introduction of the vaccine:
Where the tetanus shot was given, the injection site hurts. This phenomenon is quite real. But if the specialist did everything right, then the pain will subside on the third day. There are painful sensations most often when part of the medicine has got under the skin, and not in the right place. This is due to the fact that it is more difficult for the vaccine to penetrate the human blood from under the skin, and therefore a slight inflammation may form
- If you have been vaccinated against tetanus, the injection site hurts, the doctor will tell you how to treat the problem. The standard advice is to take anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen or Nimesil.
- When the whole arm hurts, this also indicates that the vaccine has passed under the skin. Here the pain goeswhen the drug is absorbed into the blood. Use the following ointments: Troxevasin, Ekuzan, Diclofenac or Nimesulide.
- Vaccine is usually injected into the arm of children. Adults are vaccinated against tetanus under the shoulder blade. By itself, such an injection is painful, so it happens that after a tetanus shot is given, the injection site hurts. In this case, you can apply a damp cloth or heating pad under the shoulder blade. This should ease the discomfort.
There may also be a slight bump or swelling that should go down in 3-4 days. As a preventive measure, doctors recommend applying a sterile bandage to the bump (you can also use a bactericidal patch), lubricated with a special ointment, or drinking a course of Suprastin.
Complications after vaccination
When a person is vaccinated against tetanus, the reaction of the body to the shot can be different, but serious complications are almost impossible. But still there may be such exceptions: allergies, edema or anaphylactic shock. In addition, diarrhea, bowel problems, itching at the injection site, and increased sweating are possible. More often, such problems relate to a weakened body, so strengthen your immune system and lead a he althy lifestyle.
If we talk about running side effects, then here you should clarify the possible occurrence of seizures, dermatitis, rhinitis, otitis media and pharyngitis. Therefore, if any discomfort appears after you have hadtetanus shot (sore injection site, fever, bump or swelling), you should see a doctor and do not self-medicate.
