Many Older Adults
Not Immune to Tetanus
Two
out of three senior citizens may lack adequate immunity to tetanus, a
life-threatening central nervous system ailment contracted when
bacteria invade an open wound, usually a deep puncture or cut made by a
nail or a knife, University of Florida researchers report.
The
findings suggest older Americans are failing to comply with
immunization guidelines recommending tetanus boosters at 10-year
intervals throughout adult life, said Dr. Desmond Schatz, an associate
professor of pediatric endocrinology at UF's College of Medicine.
"That puts them at risk for getting the disease and suffering its devastating consequences," Schatz said.
Symptoms of Tetanus
Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, causes painful muscle spasms and is
associated with a high death rate. Young children receive the DTP
vaccine to protect against tetanus and two other diseases, diphtheria
and whooping cough.
The
UF team's recommendation? Boosters for elderly individuals who already
have completed a primary immunization regimen, and a primary series of
tetanus shots for those who are unvaccinated.
This article is a University of Florida Health Science Center
news release. Thursday, May 20, 1999
University of Florida Health Science Center and Shands HealthCare. For more
information, please call 352/392-2755 or e-mail:
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