MidAid

Tetanus Vaccination:

Tetanus is a bacteria that survives as spores in the soil. The bacteria can enter the body through a wound. The highest risk of tetanus infection is with dirty wounds (i.e.: from a rusty nail or from a wound contaminated by soil.) If there is co-infection and dead tissue in the wound tetanus can produce toxins. These toxins travel to the spinal cord and cause loss of inhibition of the nerves. This causes uncontrolled muscle spasm (i.e.: lock jaw and spastic paralysis). Once the toxin becomes fixed to nerves it cannot be neutralised with anti-toxin thus immunisation and prevention is very important.

When you sustain an injury resulting in a wound, when do you vaccinate?
If you have had more than 3 lifetime doses of the tetanus vaccine and….
• If the wound is clean, get a booster if you have not had one in the last 10 years.
• If the wound is dirty, get a booster if you have not had one in the last 5 years.
If you have had less than 3 lifetime doses of the tetanus vaccine:
• If the wound is clean, a booster is advised
• If the wound is dirty, you should receive a booster and immunoglobulins (antibodies that will prevent any infection while your own immune system develops antibodies)
In South Africa the routine childhood immunisation schedule includes tetanus vaccinations at:
• 6 weeks
• 10 weeks
• 14 weeks
• 18 months
• 6 years
• 12 years
If you are unsure of when last you were vaccinated - it is always safer to get another vaccination.

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New service offered by MidAid Medical:

VITAMIN DRIP CLINIC

Please contact us via 012-1110184 or [email protected]
or visit us at Shop 11, Eco Boulevard Shopping Centre,
270 Witch Hazel Ave, Centurion for more details.