Summer is in full swing and people are enjoying outdoor activities. Accidents can and do happen during these activities, and there can be a danger of tetanus disease. Tetanus bacilli live in the soil. Many types of injuries can allow tetanus to enter the body. Puncture wounds, severe and minor wounds, splinters, self piercing, self tattooing and drug injecting are all risk factors.

Tetanus can be a serious disease. The first sign is usually a spasm of the jaw muscles, followed by stiffness of the neck, difficulty swallowing and stiffness of the abdominal muscles. Other symptoms can include fever, sweating, elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate and spasms. Complete recovery can take months.

According to the CDC, almost all cases of tetanus are in people who have never been vaccinated, or who completed their childhood series but did not have a booster dose in the preceding 10 years. Vaccination should begin at 2 months of age and continue through adulthood. Contact your physician or local health department for information on these vaccines.

Tetanus can remain a low risk if we continue to vaccinate.