Tetanus, also known as trismus, is an infection caused by bacteria that enters through cuts or wounds and causes painful muscle spasms. If left untreated, it can cause breathing difficulties and heart failure. However, in most cases, it can be prevented with a timely injection of the tetanus vaccine into the skin and muscles; these vaccines must be administered every 10 years to maintain prevention. If you suspect that you have tetanus or begin to have symptoms of tetanus, you should seek treatment in a hospital right away.
If you have a serious injury and haven't kept up with your 10-year tetanus shots, you should get the tetanus shot at a nearby urgent care center or emergency room. Call your local urgent care clinic right away if you are bitten by a dog, cat, or other wild animal, as most diseases don't usually occur in cats and dogs, so immediate care is needed to avoid illness. UPMC's emergency medicine and trauma care services are prepared to provide first-class care, no matter the severity of your emergency. If you need an emergency tetanus shot, go immediately to a UPMC urgent care center or to the UPMC emergency room. In addition, some pharmacies now offer on-site vaccines administered by health professionals. When you're ready to get a tetanus booster shot, or if you're not sure if you need to get a shot, talk to the caring medical professionals at FastMed Urgent Care.
If your child has a deep wound and you're not sure if he's been vaccinated against tetanus within five years, take him to an urgent care center. FastMed operates nearly 200 urgent care clinics in five states, under the FastMed, CareSpot and MedPost brands. Doctors can diagnose tetanus by asking questions about a recent history of cuts, scratches, punctures, and injuries, and testing a person for certain signs and symptoms. There are no laboratory tests in hospitals that can confirm tetanus.
As the best emergency room doctors in Pasco and Pinellas Counties, you can trust us to provide you with better care. An urgent care clinic is a great place to get a tetanus shot in a hurry.
