Originally published August 6 2005
Protect yourself when dealing with rust
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Tetanus is very easy to contract when you come into contact with rusty objects, but it can be prevented.
Time to tear down that old tool shed in the back yard and build a new one or maybe start that sun porch you've been thinking about.
If work is in the plans, don't forget to take protective measures such as goggles, gloves, knee pads, hearing protection - and a tetanus shot.
Before undertaking a do-it-yourself home renovation project, you need to make sure your protection against tetanus is up to date.
Tetanus is a potentially fatal infectious disease and the bacteria are everywhere - indoors and out.
Nearly half of injuries resulting in tetanus infection occurred indoors or at home between 1998 and 2000, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Minor injuries suffered during home and gardening projects, even simple cuts or scrapes, can put people at risk for this serious disease if they are not current on the tetanus booster vaccine.
It's recommended that the first tetanus booster should be administered to adolescents, starting at age 11 or 12, followed by boosters every 10 years.
The tetanus booster is combined with a vaccine to prevent diphtheria, another potentially fatal disease that also requires revaccination every 10 years.
Tetanus facts Often called lockjaw for its most common symptom, jaw stiffness.
The most common form of tetanus causes paralysis and includes symptoms such as lockjaw, neck stiffness, difficulty swallowing and muscle spasms.
Symptoms may appear anywhere from three days to three weeks after exposure to the bacteria and may be accompanied by fever, sweating, elevated blood pressure and rapid heartbeat.
In 2002 a man in Puerto Rico got a splinter in his right hand.
He sought medical care three times in 11 days twice at an emergency room with symptoms ranging from weakness to difficulty walking, talking and swallowing.
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