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- Services and providers for Tetanus in the U.S.
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National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Tetanus is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious illness caused by tetanus bacteria. The bacteria live in soil, saliva, dust and manure. The bacteria usually enter the body through a deep cut, like those you might get from cutting yourself with a knife or stepping on a nail.
The infection causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw, which makes it impossible to open your mouth or swallow. If this happens, you could die of suffocation.
If you get tetanus, there is usually a long course of treatment. The tetanus vaccine can prevent tetanus but its protection does not last forever. Adults should get a tetanus shot, or booster, every 10 years. If you get a bad cut or burn, see your doctor--you may need a booster.
Start Here
- Facts about Tetanus for Adults(National Foundation for Infectious Diseases) - Links to PDF
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Tetanus(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
| Basics | Learn More | Multimedia & Cool Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Research | Reference Shelf | For You |
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Overviews
- Tetanus(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Tetanus: Questions and Answers(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Links to PDF
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Prevention/Screening
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Diphtheria Tetanus & Pertussis Vaccine: What You Need to Know(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Links to PDF
Also available in Spanish
- Do I Need a Tetanus Shot?(American College of Emergency Physicians)
- Tetanus Vaccine: Questions & Answers(Immunization Action Coalition)
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Diphtheria Tetanus & Pertussis Vaccine: What You Need to Know(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Links to PDF
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Related Issues
- Tetanus: Health Information for International Travel(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Pictures & Photographs
- Tetanus (Lockjaw) Photos(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Trismus(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Tetanus
(National Institutes of Health)
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Validation of neonatal tetanus elimination in Bangladesh by lot quality-assurance...
- Article: Recurrence of cardiorespiratory events following repeat DTaP-based combined immunization in...
- Article: Recommendations for postexposure interventions to prevent infection with hepatitis B...
- Tetanus -- see more articles
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Organizations
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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Children
- Tetanus(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Teenagers Return to top
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Date last updated: 16 July 2008 Topic last reviewed: 02 June 2008 |