Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Home & Garden


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Comments (0)     E-mail article     Print view

Tetanus shot may be gardener's best tool

A potential killer lurks in the garden, and a scratch or puncture wound is all it needs to launch a hostile takeover of your nervous system. It's tetanus, the bacteria Clostridium tetani.

The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J

Gardening is generally considered a low-risk activity, more likely to stiffen your muscles than to threaten your life — yard play with chain saws aside.

But a potential killer lurks in rich garden soil, fragrant manure, compost and potting mixes, and a scratch or puncture wound is all it needs to launch a hostile takeover of your nervous system. It's tetanus, the bacteria Clostridium tetani.

The classic tetanus-inducing mishap is stepping on a rusty nail, but landscaping and yard work actually account for about a third of the cases reported in the United States.

Puncture wounds can occur in any number of ways. Stabbing yourself with the rough edges of wire fencing, piercing your hands with sharp thorns, getting careless with a pitchfork or picking up a splinter are all in a day's gardening. While 50 percent of tetanus cases involved puncture wounds, 33 percent followed cuts and 9 percent followed scrapes.

An acute case of tetanus is a terrible thing. Lockjaw, one of the symptoms, causes excruciating muscle spasms and seizures. Complications include breathing, heart and kidney problems. Even in the United States today, fatality rates among victims run as high as 18 percent.

While the consequences of tetanus are dreadful, prevention is easy — get a tetanus booster every 10 years.

Don't let your next gardening wound be a matter of life and death. Pick up the phone, check on the date of your last shot and book an appointment if you need one.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Home & Garden headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

Comments
No comments have been posted to this article.

advertising

This year's hot holiday décor shimmers and delights

Have trouble finding a gift? Here are 6 ideas

Gift ideas for garden enthusiasts

Designer Candice Olson helps a family reclaim dining room for entertaining

How to save money, energy on Thanksgiving road trip

Advertising

Video

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.

Video shows violent arrest by SPD
Fort Lewis Memorial
Highlights: Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Seattle International Cabaret Festival
Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Medal of Honor
Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center
Pelosi speaks at Swedish Medical Center
"Pistol" Pete Ryan

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising