TT Full Form
What is the full form of the TT?
The full form of TT is Tetanus Toxoid. It is a vaccination that prevents an infection brought on by the bacteria Clostridium tetani. Bacteria can enter the body through cuts, wounds, bites, burns, and other openings. Once inside, they affect the neurological system and, if untreated, can have serious consequences. This condition frequently manifests as seizures, lockjaw, stiffness, muscle spasms, and problems swallowing.
What is TT?
The tetanus vaccination is used as the first line of defence against tetanus. The bacterium Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, a serious illness of the neurological system. The tetanus Toxoid (tt) vaccination is intended to prevent tetanus, often known as lockjaw, a deadly condition that can result in convulsions and violent muscle spasms that are strong enough to break the spine's bones.
TT Vaccine: History
In 1924, the first inactive tetanus toxoid vaccine was developed. In order to avoid tetanus in the military during World War II, a more potent version of the tt vaccination was developed in 1938. The DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) vaccination was introduced in 1948 and used until 1991, when it was replaced, due to safety concerns, by an acellular pertussis vaccine. This is due to the fact that the DTP vaccine caused redness, swelling, and pain around the injection site in 50% of recipients, which led researchers to search for a different vaccine.
Two new vaccines were launched in 1992. These combined tetanus and diphtheria with acellular pertussis (TDaP or DTaP), which could be given to adolescents and adults (as opposed to formerly when the vaccine was only given to children).
Types of TT
There are four kinds of tt vaccines used to help protect against tetanus.
Diphtheria and tetanus (DT) vaccines: This vaccine is given as a shot and is a combination of tetanus and Diphtheria (D) vaccines.
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccines: This vaccine has a combination of Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Compared to the DT vaccination, it has lower levels of diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) antigens. This vaccine is given to children in a form of a shot. Also, it has higher concentrations of tetanus antigen than the DT vaccine.
Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccines: The Td vaccine is a booster shot and compared to the DTaP vaccination, the Td booster dose has lower levels of tetanus and diphtheria antigens. Both adolescents and adults are given this vaccination.
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccines: This vaccine is a one-time booster that helps protect against three diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).It is basically the same as the DTaP vaccination but contains larger levels of tetanus antigens than diphtheria and pertussis antigens.
What are The Symptoms of Tetanus?
Most frequently, "lockjaw"—jaw muscular spasms—is the first symptom of tetanus. Apart from that Tetanus symptoms include jaw cramping, unexpected involuntary muscle spasms, severe muscle stiffness throughout the body, difficulty swallowing, seizures (jerking or staring), headache, fever and sweating, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, among others.
Who Should Get The Tetanus Vaccine?
All adults aged seven and older who have not gotten a dose of the tetanus vaccination or finished the three-dose primary series are advised to get it.
Adults are advised to receive a single dose of the Tdap vaccination to replace one of the Td booster doses given every ten years, and then follow it up with another Td booster shot.
Who Should Not Get The Tetanus Vaccine?
People who had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the last dose of the vaccine should not get another.
People who recently got a “live” vaccine (like the nasal flu vaccine) should not take the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine until after the live vaccine has fully taken effect.
How Long Does Tetanus Shot Last?
A vaccine is given during childhood and usually confers immunity within 7 to 10 years.
The Td booster usually grants immunity within ten years.
Within seven years, a Tdap vaccine grants immunity against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
A tetanus booster shot is mandated every ten years following the last dose of the tetanus vaccine.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
TT vaccine is stored at 2 to 8 °C for years, at room temperature for months, and at 37 °C for weeks.
The 3-dose primary series should begin as early as 6 weeks of age, with subsequent doses given with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses.
Tetanus is also known as “lockjaw” because it often causes a person’s neck and jaw muscles to lock, making it hard to open the mouth or swallow.
Normally, tetanus shots are given in the deltoid (shoulder) muscle, and in children, they are given on the arm or thigh.
For children, Five doses of a DTaP shot and one Tdap shot for preteens are recommended by doctors.