Human Tetanus Immunoglobulin

Tetanus is an acute disease of the nervous system induced by the endotoxin of the tetanus bacillus. It is caused when the bacterium Clostridium tetani gets into the body, through a puncture wound in most cases. The bacteria grow in the wound and produce a very powerful poisonous toxin. The first symptoms are stiff muscles near the wound followed by spasm of other muscles including stiffening in the jaw until it is locked in position ("lockjaw"). This is followed by frequent and painful fits. There is no treatment for tetanus. The muscle spasms can interfere with breathing. Anyone who is not fully protected against tetanus is at risk from the disease which can kill.

Tetanus is rare in the UK because of the immunisation programme. While vaccination has largely diminished the incidence of tetanus in Europe since it was introduced in the 1950's and 1960's, it has not disappeared. Tetanus immunisation was provided to the Armed Forces from 1938 and therefore a large percentage of the elderly male population is immune. Those most at risk are elderly women.

In the U.K., vaccination against tetanus infection is part of the childhood immunisation schedule. The first dose is given to babies at 2 months old followed by two additional doses at one-month intervals. Booster doses are also given at age 3-5 years (3 years after the primary course) and at age 13-18 years. Booster doses in addition to 5 doses is not recommended except in the case of the treatment of a tetanus-prone wound.

The following are considered tetanus-prone wounds;

• Any wound or burn sustained more than 6 hours.
  
  
• Any wound or burn at any interval after injury that shows one or more of the following: significant degree of devitalised tissue, puncture-type wound, contact with soil or manure likely to harbour tetanus organisms and any clinical evidence of sepsis.
  
  

For further information, please contact your GP.