With talk of flooding in the media, the issue of tetanus comes to the forefront. Exposure to flood water is not sufficient cause for a person to obtain a tetanus vaccination.
Tetanus, commonly known as lockjaw, is a nerve disease caused when tetanus bacteria contaminates a wound. The tetanus bacteria is commonly found in soil. It enters the body through any opening, from a slight scratch to a severe wound. It can cause convulsions, painful muscle spasms and even death.
“We want everyone to have a Tdap vaccination, which includes the tetanus vaccine,” said officials at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and the Putnam County Health Department. “Any person who has not had the Tdap vaccine or who has not had a booster in the past 10 years should get the vaccine,”
To determine if you or someone in your family needs a tetanus vaccination, contact your health care provider or your local health department. For more information or to schedule a vaccination, call 1-304-348-8080 in Kanawha County or 304-757-2541 in Putnam County.