Diphtheria and Tetanus (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Diptheria and Tetanus

Tetanus »

Tetanus facts

Tetanus is frequently a fatal infectious disease.
Tetanus is caused by a type of bacteria (Clostridium tetani).
The tetanus bacteria often enter the body through a puncture wound, which can be caused by nails, splinters, insect bites, burns, any skin break, and injection-drug sites.
All children and adults should be immunized against tetanus by receiving vaccinations.
A tetanus booster is needed every 10 years after primary immunization or after a puncture or other skin wound which could provide the tetanus bacteria an opportunity to enter the body.

What is tetanus?

Tetanus is an acute, often-fatal disease of the nervous system that is caused by nerve toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This bacterium is found throughout the world in the soil and in animal and human intestines.

Where do tetanus bacteria ...

Read the Tetanus article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next »

Diphtheria and Tetanus

Travel Health and Vaccines Slideshow Pictures

font size

Diphtheria and Tetanus Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine (Diphtheria and Tetanus)?

Your child should not receive this vaccine if the child has:

untreated or uncontrolled epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
if the child has received cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatment in the past 3 months.

Your child may not be able to receive this vaccine if he or she has ever received a similar vaccine that caused any of the following:

a very high fever (over 104 degrees);
a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain;
excessive crying for 3 hours or longer;
fainting or going into shock;
Guillain-Barré syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis vaccine);
seizure (convulsions); or
a severe skin reaction.

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor if your child has:

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;
a history of seizures;
a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine);
an allergy to latex rubber;
a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
if the child is taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).

Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.

The pediatric version of this vaccine (DT) should not be given to anyone over the age of 6 years old. Another vaccine is available for use in older children and adults.

How is this vaccine given (Diphtheria and Tetanus)?

This vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle. Your child will receive this injection in a doctor's office or other clinic setting.

The diphtheria and tetanus toxoids vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. The booster shots are given at 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 18 months of age. A fifth booster dose is then given between 4 and 6 years of age. Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much of this medicine to give your child.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring in a child who has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

Related Drug Centers