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Tetanus immunisation Keep your tetanus injections up to date to prevent this serious and often fatal illness. You should have had an initial course of three tetanus injections within a six month period and then a booster every 10 years until you have had a total of five injections. After that you will only need tetanus boosters if you receive a tetanus prone wound. People born before 1961 in the UK are unlikely to have had routine tetanus injections as a baby, however if they served in the Armed Forces then they would have had them on joining up. Anti-tetanus serum If you haven't had these initial injections, or your last tetanus injection was more than 10 years ago, then as well as a tetanus injection you will need anti-tetanus serum if your wound is tetanus prone. Anti-tetanus serum is available at the surgery during the day or at the casualty department in the evenings or at weekends. Note If the wound is at very high risk of being infected with tetanus (for example, if it was contaminated with stable manure), or if your immunity is reduced, you will need the anti-tetanus serum even if your tetanus injections are up to date. Cleaning the wound Any wound should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water or a detergent antiseptic solution. If you still can't clean the wound properly see our practice nurse the same day or "out of hours" attend casualty. What kind of wounds are most likely to cause tetanus? (tetanus prone)
If you are in any doubt, seek medical advice |