Vaccination against tetanus: side effects, reactions and complications

It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of vaccination against tetanus. One small injection - and a person can next 10 years not be afraid of infection. Also it is done with any infection through the damaged skin. This can occur after an animal's bite, punctured lesions or as a result of obtaining extensive lacerations.

Contraindications

But there are situations in which it is not recommended to get tetanus vaccinations. Side effects can be much more serious than the potential for infection.

So, it is worth to be from vaccination in those cases when the person has already been identified intolerance of one of the components of the vaccine or previously had a reaction to the tetanus vaccination. It can be on formaldehyde, aluminum hydroxide, thiomersal, tetanus toxoid.

Also, people who have immunodeficiency, such as those with HIV infection, are not vaccinated. After all, the introduction of a vaccine is necessary to ensure that a person has developed immunity. And this state does not happen.

Temporary restrictions

To refuse from an inoculation and to transfer it for some weeks costs at sharp diseases or an aggravation of chronic illnesses. Even a common cold is a temporary contraindication. Particular attention is paid to patients with liver and kidney problems.

Scheduled revaccination is not performed during pregnancy. If you need to vaccinate according to vital indications, then the need for it is determined together with the obstetrician-gynecologist. For such a woman, special supervision is established.

In case of exacerbation of neurological conditions, it is also desirable to postpone the date when a tetanus vaccination will be given. Side effects in this case can be expressed more strongly.

Exacerbations of allergic diseases, diathesis are also temporary contraindications. You can come to the inoculation not earlier than 2 weeks after all the symptoms have passed. If there is an opportunity, it is better to wait even a month. But it should be borne in mind that chronic allergic conditions, expressed as hidden bronchospasm or localized skin rashes, are not an excuse for refusing vaccination. In parallel, it is necessary to simply carry out appropriate therapy.

Possible reactions

One should know about the potential problems that are caused by tetanus vaccination. Side effects after it are revealed not at all, but it is better to be prepared for possible complications.

You also need to know that their appearance indicates that the process of formation of immunity is started. But do not worry, if after vaccination you or the child does not bother. These are simply individual reactions of different organisms to the fact that a tetanus vaccine was made.

Side effects can be as follows:

- often redness, swelling and tenderness of the injection site; The cause of this is the effect of a substance intended to enhance the immune response;

- increase in body temperature;

- retardation or, conversely, increased excitability;

- Gastrointestinal reactions: diarrhea, vomiting;

- severe headaches;

- a marked deterioration in appetite.

All these complications are fast enough and do not lead to any serious consequences.

Potential complications

In most cases, the vaccine against tetanus does not affect the child or adult in any way. Complications are rare, but you need to know about them.

It is necessary to consult a doctor if there is a significant swelling at the injection site. Anxiety should cause spots more than 8 cm in diameter. Severe consequences include:

- the appearance of seizures, not accompanied by a rise in temperature;

- encephalopathy.

The latter state manifests itself in the form of a disturbance of consciousness and is accompanied by convulsions. As a rule, it is temporary.

If a patient has a history of these effects of a tetanus vaccination, then no more revaccinations are done to him.

Possible side effects

In addition to the above-mentioned one-time reactions and potential complications that may occur when a vaccine is administered, one must know what else can be expected.

After inoculation in adults and children, allergic reactions may occur , rashes, dermatitis and other skin lesions occur. In addition, at the site of the injection, an abscess, lymphadenitis, can begin. There were also cases of tissue necrosis.

In addition, some patients complain of malfunction of the cardiovascular system. After the vaccination, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, palpitation, tachycardia may occur. Muscle spasms and polyneuritis are also considered possible side effects.

Some have swelling, and arthritis is observed. Some women complain of the start of the menstrual cycle, after he was injected with tetanus. Side effects can be expressed quite strongly. In this case, the question of not conducting repeated revaccination within the established time limits is considered.

Types of vaccines

Now everyone, having consulted preliminary with the expert, can choose, what exactly to inoculate. The most common is DTP. It is done in a planned manner to all healthy children according to the schedule of vaccination. It is designed for complex protection against pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus. There are options for both Russian and foreign production.

But according to the indications, they can also vaccinate against diphtheria and tetanus ADS. It is recommended in those cases when the patient can not be administered anti-pertussis component.

For adults and children older than 6 years can use ADSM. It is a mixture of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, which are excreted by pathogens of infection. Before the introduction, they are processed in a special way.

In case of danger of infection with tetanus do monovaccine AS.

The need for vaccinations

When a vaccine is introduced into a person's body, immunity is produced. Vaccination against tetanus to children is included in the planned schedule of immunization and is done starting from 3 months. Therefore, parents who do not refuse vaccination can not worry and do not fear infection.

If you get into the wound of microorganisms (and this happens with every damage to the skin and mucous membranes), infection can begin. Microbes, being in a favorable environment for them, begin to actively multiply and release special substances.

The tetanus toxins they produce attack the nervous system and cause the onset of painful seizures. As a result, this leads to malfunctioning of the breath, and the patient dies of suffocation.

Modern medicine can cure tetanus only in the early stages, at a time when it does not yet manifest itself in any way. In other situations, 9 out of 10 people become dying. A vaccine made on time can prevent infection and make it safe to contact a pathogenic microorganism - clostridium.