Tetanus vaccination is the most important and effective preventive measure. Furthermore, to prevent tetanus, attention must be paid to reducing risk factors.
Behavioral risk factors
- Contact of wounds with contaminated soil.
- Insufficient protection by vaccination
- Not hygienic care of the umbilical cord in the newborn.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Post-exposure prophylaxis is the provision of medication to prevent disease in individuals who are not protected against a particular disease by vaccination but have been exposed to it. See “Drug therapy” for more information.
Note: Even minor injuries can be ports of entry for tetanus pathogens or spores and should be cause for the attending physician to review current tetanus vaccine protection.
