Shop Plans
Health
Find a Health Plan
We offer a complete choice of plans to meet your coverage needs and fit your budget.
More Plans
Travel
Cancer
VIP
Dental
Get a Dental Plan
We offer three Traditional plans and three Certified plans to meet your needs.
Medicare
Pick a Medicare Plan
Thinking about your Medicare options? Find out which plan is right for you.
Find Doctor or Drug
Find a Doctor
Find a Doctor or Drug
Pick a directory to search or find other helpful information about drug resources, quality programs and more.
Directories
Louisiana Provider Directory
Quality Blue Directory
National Provider Directory
BlueDental Advantage Plus Directory
Davis Vision Directory
Hospital Based Physicians
ER/OR Information
Are you planning a hospital stay? If you just found out that you need surgery, or if you will be admitted to a hospital or ambulatory surgical center for any reason, you will most likely receive some care during your stay from a hospital-based physician. Learn more.
Other Directories
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core
Federal Employee Program (FEP)
Rx Drug Resources
Manage your medicine, find drug lists and learn how to save money.
Quality Programs
Quality Blue Programs
We work with doctors, hospitals and clinics around Louisiana to make sure you have a better healthcare experience.
Save Money
$25 Gym Memberships
Find a Gym
For just $25 a month and a $25 enrollment fee, you'll have access to 9,000 participating fitness locations around the state and nation.
More Money-Saving Tips
Find Discounts
Lower Drug Costs
Preventive Care Services
Primary Care Doctor
Pick a Primary Care Doctor
Picking a primary care doctor is an important step to staying healthy and saving money.
Choose the Right Care
Where you and go and who you see for treatment is a big part of getting quality healthcare while saving money.
Wellness
Discounts
Get discounts on gym memberships, fitness gear, healthy eating, prescriptions and more.
More Wellness Tips
Tools
Member Programs
Find a Program
Whether you want to quit smoking or find the right doctor, we have many programs to help.
Wellness Library
Learn About Wellness
Read articles, take quizzes, watch videos and listen to podcasts about many health topics.
Learn
Insurance 101
Learn the Basics
Understand your plan, learn about health savings accounts, and watch helpful videos.
Social
Find Us on Social Media
Join the conversation and stay connected with us for exclusive content.
Straight Talk
Get Straight Answers
If you're looking for a straight answer to your healthcare questions, this is the place.
My Account
My Account Information
Claims
Benefits
Costs
Statements
Pharmacy
Manage Account
Manage Your Account
Pay your bill, view your statements or update your email or password.
Forms
Other Coverage Questionnaire
Authorized Delegate
Health Assessment
Tetanus is a severe illness of the central nervous system caused by bacteria. It can cause death. It's not contagious but it can be prevented by a vaccine.
It's caused by the poison (toxin) of tetanus bacteria. Tetanus is not a contagious illness. The bacteria usually enter the body through a wound in the skin. Tetanus bacteria live in soil and animal manure. Tetanus occurs more often in warmer climates or during the warmer months.
It can also be found in the umbilical stump of infants in developing countries. This occurs in places where the tetanus vaccine is not often used, and people may not know how to care for the stump after the baby is born.
Tetanus is not common in the U.S. because children are vaccinated against it. A child is more at risk for tetanus if he or she has not had a tetanus vaccine and has a skin injury in an area of the country where tetanus may be active.
After a child is exposed to tetanus bacteria, it may take from 3 to 21 days for symptoms to start. In babies, symptoms may take from 3 days to 2 weeks to start.
The most common symptoms of tetanus include:
Stiffness of the jaw (lockjaw)
Stiffness of the abdominal and back muscles
Contraction (tightening) of the facial muscles
Convulsions
Fast pulse
Fever
Sweating
Painful muscle spasms near the wound area. If these spasms affect the larynx or chest, the child may not be able to breathe.
Trouble swallowing
The symptoms of tetanus can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. He or she may also ask about recent history of a bite or scratch or other skin wound. He or she will give your child a physical exam. The physical exam will include checking any skin wounds.
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Treatment will be for tetanus, or to reduce the risk for tetanus after an injury. Treatment may include:
Cleaning the skin wound
Giving a series of tetanus antitoxin shots
Prescribing antibiotic medicine
In severe cases, your child may need to be in the hospital. Treatment there may include:
A breathing tube inserted into the front of the throat (tracheostomy) if your child has breathing problems
Medicine to control spasms
Talk with your child’s healthcare providers about the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of all medicines.
Complications of tetanus can include:
Vocal cord spasms
Broken bones from severe muscle spasms
Breathing problems
Lung infection (pneumonia)
High blood pressure
Abnormal heart rhythms
Blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism)
The CDC recommends that children have 5 DTaP shots. A DTaP shot is a combination vaccine that protects against 3 diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
The first 3 shots are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
The fourth shot is given between 15 and 18 months of age.
A fifth shot is given at 4 to 6 years of age.
A booster shot of DTaP should be given to 11- or 12-year-olds at a regular checkup. The DTaP booster also protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
Pregnant women should get a DTaP booster between weeks 27 and 36 of pregnancy to increase protection for their baby after birth.
Call the healthcare provider if your child has:
Symptoms that don’t get better, or get worse
New symptoms
Tetanus is a severe illness of the central nervous system caused by bacteria. It can cause death.
Tetanus is very uncommon in the U.S. because children are vaccinated against it.
Tetanus can cause stiffness of the jaw (lockjaw), convulsions, and other symptoms.
Treatment is done with a series of tetanus antitoxin shots.
The CDC recommends that children need 5 DTaP shots. A DTaP shot is a combination vaccine that protects against 3 diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.