Tetanus, or lockjaw, is a life-threatening disease caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. According to "Rosen's Emergency Medicine," tetanus kills up to 1 million people worldwide every year, mostly in underdeveloped countries. Because of widespread use of tetanus shots, the disease is now rare in the developed world. The vaccine is safe, but like all medicines, it has side effects that can be uncomfortable and occasionally dangerous.
Common Side Effects
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, the most common side effect from a tetanus shot is pain, experienced by four out of five people. Mild redness and swelling are the next most common side effect, experienced by about one in three people. More severe swelling may occur in about three in 100 people. Mild fevers occur in about one in 15 people, and high fevers occur more rarely. In general, the "Td" form of the tetanus shot has a slightly higher rate of reported side effects than the "TDaP" form.
Severe Side Effects
Rarely, people may suffer severe side effects from the tetanus shot. The United States Centers for Disease Control noted that two adults developed temporary nervous system problems during clinical trials of the vaccine, but they did not suffer any permanent damage. People who have bleeding disorders such as hemophilia might experience bleeding from the site of the injection. Severe allergic reactions are also possible but are estimated to occur in less than one in a million people. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include a rash over the entire body and swelling of the lip, tongue and airways causing difficulty breathing. This requires immediate medical attention.
Risks from Tetanus Immunoglobulin
Tetanus immunoglobulin, or TIG, is a special type of tetanus shot used when people have not received their childhood tetanus vaccines and have a wound that is high-risk for developing tetanus or actually are suffering from the disease. TIG is manufactured from blood products, so it theoretically could transmit infections such as HIV and hepatitis B. This risk is extremely low, as donors are carefully screened and their blood is put through multiple treatments to kill any bacteria or viruses that might be present. Childhood tetanus shots, called DTaP, and booster shots, called Td, are not made from blood products and do not have this risk.
References
- Electronic Medicine Compendium: Tetanus Immunoglobulin
- "Rosen's Emergency Medicine 7th Ed."; John A. Marx, MD; 2009
