Tetanus
Tetanus Vaccine for Travel
What is Tetanus?
Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. It enters the body through wounds or cuts and produces toxins that affect the nervous system.
Tetanus can cause severe muscle stiffness, spasms, and can be potentially life-threatening if left untreated.
How to Prevent Tetanus?
Prevention of Tetanus includes maintaining good hygiene, wound care, such as thoroughly cleaning any wounds to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria, seeking medical attention for deep or dirty wounds, and vaccination.
Is Tetanus Vaccine Necessary?
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis (DTaP) is a part of routine childhood vaccinations, but immunity weans with time and anyone who has not received a dose in the last 10 years, would benefit from a booster. One adult dose of Tdap is usually recommended, followed by subsequent boosters of Td.
- DTaP (for younger children)
- Tdap (for adolescents and adults)
- Td (for adolescents and adults)
Your Rockdoc Travel Medicine Professional will review your medical history, vaccination records, and itinerary for different combination vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (e.g., Tdap and Td) to ensure full protection against these potentially life-threatening diseases while abroad.
To find out if your destination(s) require the Tetanus vaccine, consult a Rockdoc Travel Medicine Professional here.
We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.
Is Tetanus Serious Disease?
Symptoms of Streptococcus Pneumonia include:
- Stiffness in muscles, particularly jaw, neck and abdomen
- Muscle spasms
- Lockjaw, difficulty opening mouth or swallowing
- Difficulty breathing, respiratory muscles can become affected, leading to breathing difficulties or even respiratory failure
- Fever
- Sweating and rapid heartbeat
- Irritability
- Painful muscle contractions
- Opisthotonus (arching of the back)
- Increased blood pressure
Symptoms can worsen over time and lead to serious complications. If you suspect you have tetanus or have suffered a deep or contaminated wound, seek immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Available travel vaccinations and medications
We offer the following travel vaccinations and medications:
- Tick-borne Encephalitis
What Our Customers Are Saying
Brought to you by a team of trusted healthcare professionals
We know how hard it can be for Canadians to get the healthcare they need, when they need it. That’s why Rockdoc is on a mission to help Canadians navigate healthcare. We have decades of experience providing emergent, urgent, and continuing healthcare services and solutions – meeting and exceeding the standard of care for our patients and our communities.
Dr. Sam Gutman
Dr. Shaan Pawa
Associate Medical Director
MD CCFP-EM CTH®
Kristyna Sorensen
Medical Operations Manager
RN, BSN
Contact Us
Do you have questions about Virtual Travel Clinic? Find answers to the most frequently asked questions here, or chat with one of our friendly Customer Success representatives.
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