Weight Lifting After a Tetanus Vaccine
A tetanus vaccine is administered to protect you against tetanus. Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani. The bacteria enter your body through a puncture wound, dirty cut or animal bite.
A tetanus vaccine is administered to protect you against tetanus. Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani. The bacteria enter your body through a puncture wound, dirty cut or animal bite. Once in the body, the bacteria release toxic poisons that impair nerves that control your muscles. The doctor may advise you to avoid vigorous arm activities like weightlifting after receiving a tetanus vaccine, according to Drugs.com.
Weightlifting and Tetanus Vaccine
Tetanus vaccine is administered as a deep intramuscular injection in the muscles of the upper arm, and it may cause arm soreness, redness and swelling at the site of the injection. Drugs.com advises patients who have received a tetanus shot to frequently move the arm that has received the shot so as to reduce discomfort. However, weightlifting is not recommended. Lifting weights after a tetanus vaccine may increase soreness in the arm that has received the tetanus vaccine.
Waiting Period
Patients who receive a tetanus vaccine are advised to wait one or two days before resuming vigorous exercises such as weightlifting so as to allow arm soreness and swelling to heal, according to Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. During the waiting period, patients should assess the site of tetanus vaccine injection for any signs of infections. They should also assess the general appearance of the arm and report any abnormalities to the doctor. If no arm abnormalities are noted after two days, patients may resume weightlifting.
Complications of Weightlifting after Tetanus Vaccine
Weightlifting can worsen muscular weakness, which is an adverse effect of tetanus vaccine. Lifting weights when you have muscular weakness caused by a negative reaction to a tetanus vaccine causes further stress on the arm muscles. Some patients who receive tetanus injection have difficulties lifting their arm or picking things up using the arm, but this usually resolves one or two days after injection. Patients who continue to experience muscle weakness three days after receiving a tetanus vaccine should consult the doctor.
Tetanus Vaccine Administration
Tetanus vaccine is administered to adults and children 7 years or older. Tetanus vaccine is also given to infants with two other vaccines for diphtheria and whooping cough in a series of 3 injections, according to Drugs.com. Booster injections are given to children and adults every 10 years. It is very important for patients to receive booster doses every 10 years so as to maintain active immunization against tetanus. Booster injections are also given to patients receiving care for wounds or injuries that break the skin.