Are There Risks to a Tetanus Shot?

Tetanus is a serious disease that without treatment can be fatal. The disease occurs when Clostridium tetani, a soil-inhabiting bacterium, enters a skin wound and produces a toxin that affects the nerves and muscles. Tetanus vaccinations prevent the disease.

Tetanus

• According to the Mayo Clinic.com, symptoms of tetanus may occur anytime between three days and three weeks after infection. Muscle spasms and stiffness are the most common symptoms. Tetanus initially affects the muscles of the face and neck, where it inhibits jaw mobility. Tetanus is commonly called lockjaw for that reason.

Tetanus Vaccine

• A vaccine stimulates the body's immune system to produce antibodies, proteins that attach themselves to foreign substances to weaken or kill them. According to the Immunization Action Coalition, tetanus vaccine consists of inactivated Clostridium tetani toxin. It also states that because it is not a live vaccine, the immunity it provides declines over time.

Vaccine Risk

• According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), getting tetanus is much riskier than getting a tetanus vaccine. Common mild reactions include fever, injection site swelling, redness and soreness, fatigue, poor appetite and vomiting. Moderate, uncommon problems include high fever and seizures. Very rare, severe complications include serious allergic reactions, coma and brain damage.