Tetanus facts for kids

Tetanus is a serious sickness that makes your muscles get very stiff and stay that way. It's sometimes called lockjaw because it often makes your jaw muscles tighten up first.

You usually get tetanus when tiny germs, called bacteria, get into a cut or a deep poke wound. These germs make a powerful poison that affects your body.

What Causes Tetanus?

Tetanus is caused by a tiny germ called Clostridium tetani. These germs live in places like soil, dust, and even animal poop. They can get into your body through a cut, scrape, or a deep wound, especially if it's dirty.

Once inside your body, these germs make a strong poison called tetanospasmin. This poison travels through your body and affects your nerves. It makes your muscles tighten up and go into painful spasms.

What Are the Symptoms of Tetanus?

The first signs of tetanus often appear about 3 to 21 days after the germs get into your body.

• Stiff Jaw: One of the first and most common symptoms is a stiff jaw. This makes it hard to open your mouth, chew, or even talk. This is why it's called "lockjaw."
• Trouble Swallowing: You might also find it hard to swallow food or drinks.
• Muscle Spasms: As the sickness gets worse, muscles all over your body can become stiff. You might have painful spasms in your neck, back, and stomach. These spasms can be very strong and last for several minutes.
• Other Signs: Some people might also have a fever, sweat a lot, or have a fast heartbeat.

How Can You Prevent Tetanus?

The best way to protect yourself from tetanus is by getting special shots called vaccines. These vaccines teach your body how to fight off the tetanus germs and their poison.

• Vaccination: Children usually get a series of tetanus shots as part of their regular immunizations. These shots are often combined with vaccines for diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis), known as DTaP.
• Booster Shots: To stay protected, teenagers and adults need booster shots every 10 years. If you get a deep or dirty wound, your doctor might suggest an earlier booster shot, even if it hasn't been 10 years.
• Wound Care: If you get a cut or a deep wound, it's important to clean it well with soap and water right away. This helps remove any dirt or germs that could cause an infection. If the wound is deep or very dirty, see a doctor.

Images for kids

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  Tetanus cases reported worldwide (1990-2004). Dark red means more cases, light yellow means very few cases. Grey means no data.

See also

In Spanish: Tétanos para niños