TREATMENTS
-There is no cure for tetanus.
-It is important to be current with tetanus immunizations.
-Treatments may include:
- Thorough cleaning of wounds to remove the endospores
- Immediate passive immunization with immunoglobin directed against the toxin
- Antimicrobials such as penicillin
- Active tetanus toxoid immunization
-Tetanus toxoid vaccine was produced in 1924, but became widely used in the United States in the 1940's.
-Most historians credit the development of the vaccine to Gaston Ramon.
-Ramon also showed that the vaccine could be mixed with other vaccines to develop resistance to multiple pathogens, which formed the basis of the modern DTaP or DPT shot.
-These shots protect against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus which are diseases caused by 3 different species of bacteria.
-The current vaccine schedule in the United States consists of:
- 6 injections between birth and 12 years of age
- Booster injections every 10 years thereafter