Alphabetic Guide to Child Care - Tetanus



Tetanus

Tetanus (also called lockjaw because it causes spasms of the jaw) can occur at any age as the result of contamination of a simple wound. The causative organism is usually found in soil, street dust, or feces.

The disease is preventable by immunization. The triple vaccine DTP should be started at two to three months of age. See also IMMUNIZATION .

When a child suffers a puncture wound, dog bite, or other wound that may be contaminated, ask your physician to give the child a booster dose of tetanus toxoid if she has not had a shot within five years.

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