February 7, 2008

Little Rock -- The Arkansas Department of Health will be offering free tetanus shots to anyone who needs one at a special clinic that has been set up at the Matthews Civic Center at 101 W Main in Atkins. The clinic will open at 9:00 a.m. today and will be open until 3:00 p.m. or until supplies of tetanus vaccine run out.

“People who have had puncture wounds or serious cuts either during the storm itself, or during the clean-up effort that is on-going should be sure to get a tetanus shot, unless they have had a tetanus booster shot within the last five to ten years,” said James Phillips, MD, Director of the Infectious Disease Branch at ADH. Tetanus (lockjaw) is a serious disease that causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow.

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.

Children usually become infected through deep puncture wounds or cuts, like those made by nails or knives. But the bacteria can enter through even a tiny pinprick or scratch. Children can also get tetanus 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, 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.

For more information, call the Pope County Local County Health Unit office at 479-968-6004, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/tetanus/default.htp.

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