This Is Why Your Kid Needs A Tetanus Shot

GET YOUR TETANUS VACCINATION

If you haven't received your tetanus vaccination, or haven't had your children vaccinated for Tetanus, this story will make you run to the clinic and get the job done today. I hope it does. Not only is it incredibly easy to get Tetanus, but it can kill you or your children, and will cause your child unbearable incredible pain in the process.

A 6 year old boy in Oregon recently spent 8 weeks in the hospital.  losing control of his body, suffering excruciating pain throughout the ordeal.

i HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE HORRIBLE PAIN CAUSED BY TETANUS

This little boy got a cut on his forehead while he was playing outside. Seems simple enough, right? His parents treated the wound and sent him on his merry way.

Unfortunately, six days later, he started to cry; his jaw clenched closed. The muscles in his arms and upper body spasmed involuntarily. Then; his neck and back started arching and he began to have more full-body spasms. The parents called 911 and had him airlifted to hospital. He started to struggle to breathe. His lockjaw prevented him from drinking water; so he had to have a tube inserted to help him breath.

Even though he was given Tetanus fighting drugs, the boy got worse, with strong muscle spasms pulling his back and neck backward until they arched! This SO reminds me of the things horror movies are made of...but they're real!

On his fifth day in the hospital, doctors cut a hole in his neck to insert a tube to help him breathe long-term. He kept receiving IV infusions of medication to calm his pain and blood pressure. Doctors also tried to stop his muscle spasms with strategies to block his brain from sending the involuntary signals to his muscles.

AFTER THE FIRST MONTH

After ONE  month, he was finally able to be off the ventilator. On the 44th day in the hospital, he started to drink clear liquids for the first time. On the 50th day, he finally walked 20 feet on his own. Four days later, the tube in his windpipe was removed.

On day 57, he left the hospital and moved to a rehabilitation center, where he regained his ability to run, bike and play within 17 days.

THE FINANCIAL BURDEN COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WITH A $10 VACCINE

The family’s bills for just the boy’s hospital stay came to over $800,000; which doesn’t include rehabilitation, or any other follow-up costs. AND...by the way. getting infected with tetanus doesn’t make someone immune for life. A person could get tetanus multiple times during a lifespan if not vaccinated. If they survive that is.

WHEN AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GET VACCINATED

Children should receive doses of DTaP, the diptheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, at ages 2, 4, and 6 months, then again between 15 and 18 months and finally a fifth dose between 4 and 6 years old.

The immunity wears out about every 10 years, so it is recommended that children and adults get booster shots of the vaccine for only diptheria and tetanus every 10 years.

The parents of the child mentioned in this story chose not to give there son a second dose of the vaccine; or any other recommended immunizations. Go figure.