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Gardeners need tetanus shots
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Courtesy J.Robertson, Flickr photo pool
Is your tetanus vaccine current? You need a booster shot every ten years, maybe more often if you've incurred a serious puncture wound in the garden. Every year hundreds, if not thousands, of gardeners end up cutting, puncturing, slicing, shredding their skin while toiling away in the soil.
Several years ago, I was blithly schlepping through a friend's garden when I stepped in the wrong place, impaling myself on a rusty piece of rebar holding up a sprinkler head. I am a pansy about open wounds and spurting blood, and the road home just happened to take me by my family physician's office. I thought, "maybe I better get this checked, it's kinda deep and nasty."
I didn't need stitches, however, I did need it cleaned and bandaged. What surprised me the most was how adamant the doc was that I get a tetanus booster shot. I had no idea tetanus was found in the soil nor did I have any idea how serious it could be.
The Centers for Disease Control websits says: "Tetanus (lockjaw) is a serious disease that causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 in 10 cases." Ok, give me the shot.
If you are not sure whether or not your tetanus vaccine is current/up-to-date, check with your health care provider about a booster.
In Boise, you can get a vaccine at Primary Health Urgent Care Centers: call 208-344-7799. $59 before insurance. A small price to pay.
Don't forget, a good safe gardening uniform will also include sturdy shoes, good gloves, and safety glasses. Don't make me say, "I told you so."
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