Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td) or Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine
When was the last time you received your Tetanus vaccine? If you are like most individuals, we know we need it, but don't remember the last time we had it done. All adults who have completed a primary series of a tetanus/diphtheria-containing product should receive a form of Tetanus booster every 10 years.
Tetanus (lockjaw) differs from other vaccine-preventable diseases in that it is not contagious. It does not spread from person to person. Clostridium tetani bacteria are usually found in soil, dust, and manure, and they enter the body through breaks in the skin. The bacteria can also enter through even a tiny pinprick or scratch, following severe burns, ear infections, tooth infections, or animal bites. When tetanus gets into the body it can take up to 3 weeks for the first symptoms to appear. These are usually a headache, crankiness, and spasms of the jaw muscles. The bacteria produce a toxin (poison), which spreads throughout the body, causing painful muscle spasms in the neck, arms, legs, and stomach. The number of tetanus cases in the United States has fallen from about 500 a year in the 1940s to only about 50 cases a year today. But 2 out of every 10 people who get tetanus die from it.
Respiratory diphtheria is an acute and communicable infectious illness caused by bacterial strains that produce diphtheria toxin; disease caused by C. diphtheriae and other corynebacteria are preventable through vaccination with diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccines. Respiratory diphtheria is characterized by a grayish colored, adherent membrane in the pharynx, palate, or nasal mucosa that can obstruct the airway, leading to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and even death. Respiratory diphtheria is rare in the United States.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is a highly contagious acute respiratory infection caused by B. pertussis. Pertussis is transmitted from person to person through large respiratory droplets generated by coughing or sneezing. The usual incubation period for pertussis is 7-10 days. It causes severe coughing spells, vomiting and disturbed sleep.
Td vaccine has been used for many years and protects against tetanus and diphtheria. Tdap is currently licensed for only one lifetime dose per person and is recommended for your next update to provide the added health benefit to protect you against pertussis.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended a 10-year interval for routine administration of Td and encourages an interval of at least 5 years between the Td and Tdap dose for adults.
Being a firefighter is a high-risk job for more reasons than just the immediate daily dangers. Protect yourself, stay vaccinated.
Resources: OSHA, CDC, ACIP
For more information on how JobCare can serve your Fire and Emergency Response Department, contact us at 218-362-6379 or visit us online at www.JobCare.biz. Vaccination updates are available and can be scheduled for on-site services.