Tetanus is a bacterial infection that affects the central nervous system and can cause muscle spasms, drooling, fever, irritability and difficulty swallowing in affected people. Treatment with the tetanus shot can protect people against developing this disease. There are three different tetanus shots, called Td, Tdap and DTaP, that are used to prevent diphtheria or diphtheria and pertussis in addition to tetanus. People should be aware of the common tetanus shot reactions before being immunized.
Fever, Headache or Fatigue
Approximately 1/2 of children treated with the DTaP vaccine develop a fever as a reaction to treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fever symptoms typically exceed 100.4 degrees F and can contribute to uncomfortable headache pain. People who develop a fever may also experience facial flushing, sweating, chills or fatigue. These common tetanus shot reactions are temporary and generally resolve within a few days following immunization.
Injection Site Reaction
After receiving a tetanus shot, people can develop an injection site reaction. Between 65 and 80 percent of treated people develop mild pain at the injection site after receiving either the Tdap or Td vaccine, the Immunization Action Coalition reports. Additional injection site reactions can include swelling, redness or tenderness of the treated skin region. Though these common tetanus shot reactions can be uncomfortable, they typically diminish within one to two days after vaccination.
Irritability or Fussiness
Children who receive the tetanus shot can become unusually irritable after treatment. An estimated one in three children become fussy or cranky due to discomfort caused by a tetanus shot. Affected children may persistently cry and can be difficult to console. If a child remains inconsolable for more than three hours after receiving a tetanus shot, a parent or caregiver should take the child to a doctor as soon as possible.
Upset Stomach
Ten to 25 percent of people experience mild upset stomach reactions, including stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea after receiving the Tdap vaccine, the Immunization Action Coalition warns. Upset stomach symptoms can contribute to a temporary decrease in appetite in certain people after treatment. If these common tetanus shot reactions persist or become severe, affected people should contact a doctor for further evaluation and care.
