Tetanus shots are one of the many vaccines doctors recommend regularly. The idea that we can get tetanus from a rusty nail or cut has been part of how we were taught about the dangers of Tetanus. While this understanding is wrong in many ways, there are good reasons to get these shots every 10 years for adults, including after wound treatment. The schedule for children is more frequent according to the CDC. What is Tetanus? “Tetanus is a product of the bacteria Clostridium tetani, which is in dirt, dust, and feces—in other words, everywhere. It can enter your body through puncture wounds, but also through superficial cuts, bug bites, surgical procedures, and any other rupture to your skin.” Working in the garden or even minor cuts can result in a tetanus infection. If the infection enters your skin, it will incubate over three weeks. As the bacteria die off, they give off a neurotoxin which attacks the nervous system, inhibiting a chemical called GABA which inhibits muscle contractions. The result is body-wide tension, toes that may be permanently curled, and a potential lockjaw. According to this article that was originally featured in Popular Science, three initial shots and an additional one every 10 years are 100% effective in preventing the disease. Tetanus has affected people for thousands of years but with periodic shots, can be fully avoided. Want to learn more, read the full article below Everything You Thought You Knew About Tetanus is Wrong