Vaccination against tetanus: side effects, reactions and complications

It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of tetanus vaccinations.One small injection - and the person can not be afraid of infection for the next 10 years. It is also made with any infection through broken skin. This can occur after an animal bite, stab lesions, or as a result of extensive lacerations.

Contraindications

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

So, it’s worth being vaccinated in caseswhen a person has already been identified intolerance to one of the components of the vaccine, or has previously had a reaction to tetanus vaccination. It can be on formaldehyde, aluminum hydroxide, thiomersal, tetanus toxoid.

Also, do not immunize people with immunodeficiency,for example those who have been diagnosed with HIV infection. Indeed, the introduction of a vaccine is necessary in order for a person to develop immunity. And at the specified state, this does not happen.

Temporary restrictions

Abandon vaccinations and transfer it toA few weeks worth of acute illness or exacerbation of chronic diseases. Even the common cold is a temporary contraindication. Special attention is paid to patients with liver and kidney problems.

Planned revaccination is not carried out duringof pregnancy. If it is necessary to do the vaccination for health reasons, then the need for its implementation is determined in conjunction with an obstetrician-gynecologist. For such a woman is set a special observation.

With the exacerbation of neurological conditions it is also desirable to postpone the date when the tetanus vaccination will be given. Side effects in this case may be more pronounced.

Exacerbations of allergic diseases, diathesisare also temporary contraindications. You can come to the vaccine no earlier than 2 weeks after all the symptoms have passed. If you can, it is better to wait even a month. But it must be borne in mind that chronic allergic conditions, manifested by latent bronchospasm or localized rashes on the skin, are not a reason for refusing vaccination. In parallel, you just need to carry out appropriate therapy.

Possible reactions

You need to know about the potential problems that a tetanus vaccine causes. Side effects after it are revealed not at all, but it is better to be ready for possible complications.

You also need to know that their appearancesuggests that the process of formation of immunity is running. But do not worry if after vaccination you or the child does not bother. These are simply the individual reactions of different organisms to the tetanus vaccination.

Side effects may be as follows:

- redness, swelling and tenderness of the injection site are often observed; the reason for this is the effect of a substance designed to enhance the immune response;

- increase in the overall body temperature;

- inhibition, or, conversely, increased irritability;

- gastrointestinal reactions: diarrhea, vomiting;

- severe headaches;

- A marked deterioration in appetite.

All these complications pass quickly enough and do not lead to any serious consequences.

Potential complications

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

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

- the appearance of seizures, not accompanied by fever;

- encephalopathy.

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

If a patient has a history of the indicated effects of tetanus vaccinations, then no more revaccinations are given to him.

Possible side effects

In addition to the aforementioned one-time reactions and potential complications that may arise when a vaccine is given, you need to know what else to expect.

After vaccination in adults and children may appearallergic reactions, rashes, dermatitis and other skin lesions. In addition, an abscess or lymphadenitis may begin at the injection site. There have also been cases of tissue necrosis.

In addition, some patients complain of failures.in the work of the cardiovascular system. After vaccination may appear arrhythmia, angina, heart palpitations, tachycardia. Muscle spasms and polyneuritis are also considered possible side effects.

Some have puffiness, there aremanifestations of arthritis. Some women complain about the beginning of the menstrual cycle failures after they were given a tetanus vaccine. Side effects can be expressed quite strongly. In this case, the question is considered not to carry out repeated revaccination in a timely manner.

Types of vaccines

Currently everyone having consultedPreliminary with a specialist, can choose which vaccination to do. The most common is DPT. It is done in a planned manner to all healthy children according to the vaccination schedule. It is designed for comprehensive protection against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. There are options of both Russian and foreign production.

But according to indications they can also be vaccinated against diphtheria and tetanus ADS. It is recommended in cases where the patient can not enter the anti-slush component.

For adults and children over 6 years old canuse adsm. It is a mixture of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids that are secreted by infectious agents. Before the introduction, they are processed in a special way.

In case of danger of infection with tetanus do monovalent vaccine.

Need for vaccinations

When a vaccine is introduced into the human bodyimmunity is produced. A tetanus vaccination for children is included in the routine immunization schedule and is done starting at 3 months. Therefore, parents who do not refuse vaccination, can not worry and not be afraid of infection.

When microorganisms get into the wound (and thisoccurs with every damage to the skin and mucous membranes) infection may begin. Microbes, being in a favorable environment for them, begin to multiply actively and release special substances.

The tetanus toxins they produce attack the nervous system and cause the onset of painful cramps. As a result, this leads to respiratory failure, and the patient dies from suffocation.

Modern medicine can cure tetanusonly in the early stages, in the period when he still does not manifest himself. In other situations, 9 out of 10 cases die. The vaccine, which was made on time, helps prevent infection and makes safe contact with the pathogen, clostridia.