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Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a serious bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and causes muscles throughout the body to tighten. The tetanus vaccine is an important step in preventing this condition. While most people do not experience side effects after receiving a tetanus shot, mild side effects are possible, such as pain at the injection site, redness, swelling, fever, headaches, and body aches. In rare cases, more severe side effects, such as allergic reactions, SIRVA (shoulder injury related to vaccine administration), and brachial neuritis, can occur. These severe side effects can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Side effects | Pain at the injection site, mild fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, soreness, redness, swelling, allergic reaction, SIRVA, brachial neuritis |
| Allergic reaction | Facial swelling, difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis |
| SIRVA | Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, stiffness, impact on range of motion, ligament damage, tendon damage, nerve damage |
| Brachial neuritis | --- |
| Seriousness of side effects | Mild and will resolve without treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Occurrence of side effects | Rare |
| Prevention | Talk to a doctor before receiving the vaccine if you've had a severe reaction to a previous dose, had a serious allergic reaction, experienced a seizure or coma, have seizures or other neurological problems, have Guillain-Barré syndrome |
| Treatment | Over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen (Advil) |
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What You'll Learn
Fever, aches and fatigue
Fever, aches, and fatigue are all recognised side effects of the tetanus vaccine. While side effects are uncommon, they are usually mild and go away within a few days without treatment. A mild fever of up to 100.4ºF (38ºC) is considered normal after a tetanus vaccine. OTC medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen can help alleviate this.
Body aches are also common, and you may experience muscle pain and soreness at the injection site. This is due to the inflammatory response triggered by your immune system. The tetanus vaccine is often administered in the shoulder muscle for adults, so soreness in this area is likely. This side effect should also subside within a few days.
Fatigue is another typical side effect of the tetanus vaccine. Feeling tired or drowsy is a sign that your body and immune system are working hard to build up immunity. This fatigue should only last a few days. If flu-like symptoms, including fever and fatigue, persist for longer than a few days, you must contact your medical team.
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Allergic reactions
While most people do not experience side effects from tetanus shots, allergic reactions are a rare possibility. These allergic reactions can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
Serious allergic reactions usually begin a few minutes to a few hours after vaccination. Symptoms include trouble breathing, an increased heart rate, hives, facial swelling, and difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away.
In addition to allergic reactions, other rare but severe side effects of the tetanus vaccine include SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) and brachial neuritis. SIRVA can result in stiffness, a reduced range of motion, and pain, and may develop within days or weeks of receiving the vaccine. Brachial neuritis is another rare but severe side effect that can occur.
It is important to note that most side effects from the tetanus vaccine are mild and will typically resolve without treatment. Common side effects include pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, mild fever, headaches, and body aches. These side effects are signs that your body is building immunity against tetanus.
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Brachial neuritis
While muscle cramps were not explicitly mentioned, common side effects of the tetanus shot include pain, redness, swelling at the injection site, fever, headache, and fatigue. These side effects are usually mild and temporary, lasting only a few days. However, some individuals may experience more severe or prolonged symptoms that require medical attention.
Now, let's discuss brachial neuritis in detail:
The onset of brachial neuritis typically occurs within a few days to weeks after vaccination. Symptoms include sudden, severe shoulder pain, weakness, and numbness in the affected arm. In some cases, patients may experience long-term effects, and recovery can take several months or even years. Treatment options include pain management, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery.
If you experience symptoms of brachial neuritis or any other severe side effects after receiving a tetanus shot, it is important to seek immediate medical attention and, if necessary, consult a vaccine injury lawyer to understand your legal options and seek potential compensation.
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SIRVA
While the tetanus vaccine is necessary to protect against the potentially deadly effects of tetanus, including severe muscle stiffness and spasms, it can, in rare cases, cause serious side effects such as SIRVA. SIRVA stands for Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration. It is a specific type of injury that can occur after receiving a TDaP shot or any vaccine injected into the shoulder muscle. This injury occurs when the vaccine is injected too high or too deep into the shoulder, causing damage to the surrounding structures, such as tendons, ligaments, or nerves.
Symptoms of SIRVA include pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, and weakness in the affected arm. It may show up within days or weeks of vaccine administration. SIRVA can be a serious and long-lasting condition that can significantly impact a person's daily life. In the worst cases, it can result in permanent disability. If you suspect you have SIRVA, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Your medical team can offer a diagnosis after conducting a physical exam and imaging; you may need an MRI or an ultrasound.
In more severe cases of SIRVA, your healthcare provider may recommend corticosteroid injections or refer you to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged structures in your shoulder. Following your healthcare provider's recommendations and attending all scheduled appointments to monitor your recovery progress is crucial. If you have been diagnosed with SIRVA after receiving a TDaP shot, you may be eligible for compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).
It is important to note that SIRVA is an umbrella term and not a diagnosis. It describes how your shoulder injury occurred but is not the definitive diagnosis for your condition. You may be diagnosed with a specific shoulder injury, such as Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (adhesive capsulitis).
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Pain at the injection site
While most people will not experience side effects after a tetanus shot, pain at the injection site is one of the most common side effects. According to the CDC, it occurs in 2 in 3 adults who receive the Tdap vaccine. This pain should subside in a few days. If the pain or swelling is causing discomfort, over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication such as ibuprofen (Advil) can help.
In rare cases, the tetanus vaccine can cause an allergic reaction. Serious allergic reactions typically begin a few minutes to a few hours after vaccination. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately: mild to moderate pain, redness, or swelling. If the injection site is bleeding or you experience pain, redness, or swelling that is so severe that you cannot perform your usual activities, contact your doctor.
If you have had a severe reaction to a previous dose of the tetanus vaccine, such as severe pain or swelling, talk to your doctor before receiving another dose. Adults who have experienced severe reactions may be able to receive the Td vaccine instead.
Before getting the tetanus vaccine, it is important to tell your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking. Certain medications, like corticosteroids, cancer treatments, and immunosuppressants, could interact with the tetanus shot.
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Frequently asked questions
Side effects from the tetanus shot are possible but they are usually mild. These may include pain at the injection site, headaches, mild fever, body aches, fatigue, soreness, swelling, and redness.
Most people will not have side effects after getting a tetanus shot. However, according to the CDC, pain at the injection site occurs in 2 in 3 adults that receive the Tdap vaccine.
Severe side effects from the tetanus shot are rare. These may include allergic reactions, SIRVA (shoulder injury related to vaccine administration), and brachial neuritis.
Most side effects from the tetanus shot are mild and will resolve within a few days without treatment. However, if side effects last longer than a few days, seek medical attention as there could be something else wrong.
While muscle pain and body aches are common side effects of the tetanus shot, it is unclear if these include muscle cramps. If you experience any side effects that concern you, consult your healthcare provider.
