Sign in to book or manage your appointments
Book new appointments, view your medical history, track vaccinations and manage your orders – all in one place.
Sign in to book or manage your appointments
Book new appointments, view your medical history, track vaccinations and manage your orders – all in one place.
Don't have an account? Register
Tetanus is caused by a bacteria that releases a powerful toxin (poison) into the body. It is a serious disease, which can be fatal even with medical treatment. In developed countries, such as the UK, tetanus is rare due to vaccination programmes, but it is found worldwide.
Symptoms include fever, stiffness of the jaw (“lockjaw”), muscles in the back, trunk, hands and feet becoming rigid, followed by painful spasms. Breathing muscles can be affected.
How do you catch Tetanus?
Cells produced by the bacteria (spores) are present in soil, manure and occasionally in injected drugs and enter the body through a wound or break in the skin.
Incubation period
3 – 21 days
Diagnosis
As there may not be a noticeable wound, diagnosis is made based on the symptoms. Some laboratory test
Prevention
Clean all wounds with soap and water. Seek medical advice even if vaccinated, in case antibiotics are needed. A booster vaccine can be given to travellers who have had the primary UK childhood schedule. It comes as a combined vaccination with diphtheria and polio.
Treatment
Hospital treatment is required, in intensive care. Tetanus and other vaccinations are given
Medical Director, MASTA
PhD MSc MBBS MRCGP FRCPCH FFPH FFTM RCPS(Glasg.) FRCP(Glasg.)
GMC No. 3115417Professor David Ross OStJ is the Medical Director of MASTA and has been associated with MASTA since 2005. He served 41 years in the Army, including over 10 years as senior advisor on public health to the UK Surgeon General. In 2012 he was appointed the Parkes Professor of Preventive Medicine, in 2014 an Honorary Queen’s Physician and in 2023 an Officer in the Order of St John.