Tetanus shots (vaccines) protect your child from getting tetanus. Tetanus is an illness caused by a type of bacteria (germs). It causes painful muscle stiffening and can be deadly. 

Most kids have mild or no symptoms after getting a tetanus shot. If symptoms do happen, they usually include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fever, headache, or tiredness. Very rarely, more serious problems can happen.

• Let your child rest if they seem tired.
• Let your child eat and drink as usual. It's OK if they don't want to eat as much as usual for a day or two, but offer plenty of liquids.
• Encourage your child to move and use the arm or leg where they got the shot.
• If your child has pain where the shot was given, try putting a warm or cool cloth (whichever feels better) on the area.
• If your health care provider says it's OK, you can give acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand) for pain or fever. Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often. Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.

Your child has:

• New or worsening redness, swelling, or pain where the shot was given
• Fever lasting more than 2 days
• Extreme fussiness and can't be comforted

Your child has:

• A seizure
• Any signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hoarseness, wheezing, trouble breathing, vomiting, hives (red, raised spots), paleness, or weakness

How does a tetanus shot work? After getting the tetanus shot, the body makes antibodies against tetanus germs. Antibodies are special proteins that lock on to germs to fight infections. If the tetanus germ gets into the body, the antibodies recognize it and fight off the infection before it makes the person sick. 

Who should get a tetanus shot? Health care providers recommend all kids and teens (with a few exceptions) get tetanus shots as part of their routine shot schedule. The tetanus shot is combined into one shot with other routine childhood shots (such as diphtheria or pertussis). Which combination shot someone gets depends on their age and which shots they have already had.