What situations require a tetanus shot?

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on April 27, 2025
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Usually, tetanus is caused by the toxin produced within the human body by Clostridium tetani, entering through broken skin or mucosa, leading to a specific type of infection. Tetanus is commonly found in our surroundings, such as in moist soil, rusty iron, or on bamboo sticks. When wounds are large, deep, severely contaminated, contain foreign bodies, or in cases of severe burns, scalds, or certain open fractures, it is crucial to seek timely vaccination at medical institutions.

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Can you drink alcohol after a tetanus shot?

Before undergoing tetanus treatment, it is advised not to drink alcohol. This is because there are two types of tetanus injections: the tetanus toxoid, which requires a skin test, and the tetanus immunoglobulin, which does not require a skin test. Drinking alcohol causes the capillaries to dilate, leading to skin redness, which can affect the results of the skin test. A positive result in the skin test, indicated by skin redness, means that tetanus toxoid cannot be administered, and instead, the more expensive tetanus immunoglobulin must be used. Moreover, for deeper wounds such as open injuries and fractures, tetanus treatment is essential. Tetanus infection can have severe consequences if not treated properly.

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How long does the tetanus skin test take?

If a patient is injured and the injury is relatively deep, it is recommended to visit the hospital to receive a tetanus antitoxin injection to prevent tetanus infection. Before injecting the tetanus antitoxin, a skin test must be conducted to prevent allergic reactions, including severe complications such as anaphylactic shock. A common method for the skin test is to dilute 0.1ml of tetanus antitoxin in 0.9ml of saline to make a solution and take 0.05ml of it for a skin prick test on the forearm. The observation time for this test is generally 30 minutes, to monitor for any positive reactions at the site of the test.

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What should not be eaten after a tetanus shot?

After a tetanus injection, one should avoid spicy and irritating foods, such as chili peppers, barbecue, and garlic, as these foods may cause inflammatory stimulation and increase the burden on liver function, potentially leading to unnecessary side effects. Additionally, patients should avoid hard-to-digest foods and primarily consume a light diet, eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, which is beneficial in controlling the condition. Also, alcohol should be avoided after a tetanus vaccination to prevent adverse reactions from drinking. Tetanus is a severe disease, and there are no specific drugs for its acute episodes, so prevention is crucial, especially for deep tissue burns, where a timely tetanus shot should be administered.

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Can tetanus be cured?

In clinical practice, the vast majority of tetanus patients can be cured, provided there are no severe complications. Typically, tetanus is caused by the toxin produced by Clostridium tetani within the human body, leading to a specific type of infection. Clinically, it usually manifests as muscle tension and rigidity, and some patients might experience lockjaw, difficulty opening the mouth, a sardonic smile, and even stiff neck and opisthotonos. Severe cases can lead to difficulty breathing, respiratory arrest, or even cardiac arrest. Tetanus patients should go to the hospital for systematic, formal treatment and care. The vast majority of tetanus patients can be cured.

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How long does a tetanus shot last?

Tetanus prophylactic treatment is advised to be carried out as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours for optimal effectiveness. However, prevention treatment can still be carried out after 24 hours, as long as the disease has not manifested. Current research does not prove that tetanus prevention is ineffective after this period. Therefore, timely and effective preventive treatment should be implemented following high-risk tetanus infection factors, choosing either tetanus antitoxin or tetanus immunoglobulin. The incubation period for tetanus infection is about a week, and as long as the disease has not manifested, choosing appropriate medication can have a preventive effect. Tetanus antitoxin and tetanus immunoglobulin have different metabolic cycles; the half-life of tetanus antitoxin is generally about three days, whereas tetanus immunoglobulin can last up to three weeks.