When you think of getting a vaccination (immunization) one usually
thinks of children getting their shots. This is an important part of preventing
many serious childhood illnesses. However, adults should also get immunized
to prevent various infections as well. It is also very common for adults
to forget this important part of disease prevention. We all get busy and
can't seem to make the time to get those pesky shots. Most of us know they
are good for us but like getting that yearly physical we put it off.
One immunization that is important to get is your tetanus shot. An adult
should get a tetanus shot every 10 years. Tetanus is a disease cause
by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. This bacterium can not
grow in the presence of oxygen and is found in the soil. To survive when
oxygen is around this bacterium produces spores. These spores do not grow
but just sit there waiting for the right conditions. When conditions are
right (no oxygen and plenty of its favorite foods) the spore will germinate
and produce vegetative cells. An example of a good condition for growth
is the deep recesses of a puncture wound (classic example= stepping on
a rusty nail. Ouch!!). These vegetative cells are normal bacterial cells
that grow and produce a toxin called tetanospasm or tetanus toxin. This
toxin interferes with the nerves that control our muscles. Normally, when
you move a muscle it will contract (get smaller in size). To stop the contractions
requires nerves. Tetanus toxin interferes with the nerves ability to allow
relaxation of the muscle. As a result, when someone with tetanus (lockjaw)
moves a muscle it remains in contraction. This is similar to when we get
a muscle cramp. The muscle contracts but won't quit contracting. Tetanus can kill a person. If the muscles that control breathing are affected
the person will die from lack of oxygen.
Normally people receive a tetanus shot when injured just in case. We call these periodic immunizations booster shots. Booster shots are as important for adults to get as they are for children. With time the circulating antibodies that prevent tetanus will go down in concentration and are no longer protective. These booster shots will cause the immune system to make more antibodies against the tetanus toxin. Or in other words booster up the concentration of antibody in your bloodstream. The tetanus shot contains an inactivated form of the tetanus toxin and does not cause tetanus.
There is no feasible way of eliminating Clostridium tetani from the soil and so we will always have the potential of acquiring tetanus
Go To Page: 1 2
