Can I eat tomatoes after a tetanus shot?

Written by Xu Jun Hui

General Surgery

Updated on February 20, 2025

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You can eat tomatoes after receiving a tetanus shot. There are two types of tetanus injections: tetanus toxoid, which requires a skin test, and tetanus immunoglobulin, which does not require a skin test. If you are to receive the tetanus toxoid, it is essential to perform a skin test beforehand. If an allergy is present, its use is prohibited. Furthermore, it is advised to abstain from alcohol before getting a tetanus shot to avoid any skin redness caused by drinking, which can affect the outcome of the skin test, leading to a failure in the indication for the tetanus injection. There are no contraindications regarding eating tomatoes after a tetanus shot. It is generally recommended to get the tetanus shot within 24 hours after injury.

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Written by Li Jin Quan

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Can tetanus be fatal?

Firstly, severe tetanus, if not treated in time, can be fatal. When infected with tetanus, the early symptoms mainly include dizziness, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, weak chewing, soreness or cramping of the jaw muscles, or muscle tension. Of course, when tetanus is severe, it can manifest as difficulty opening the mouth, risus sardonicus, opisthotonos, and stiff neck. In severe cases, there may be difficulty breathing, respiratory arrest, and even cardiac arrest. If in this situation, we do not promptly carry out emergency treatment, the tetanus patient can die.

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How many shots are given for tetanus?

Generally, a single injection is enough. Therefore, it is recommended to go to surgery for thorough debridement and disinfection. Subsequent treatment will be based on the results, and generally, if handled promptly, there shouldn't be any major issues. Also, avoid spicy and irritating foods during the treatment period, and consider eating some foods that help with wound healing, such as proteins. Afterwards, keep the wound clean and dry, change dressings regularly, and have regular check-ups. This is not a big issue and can recover quickly with proper care.

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Written by Ma Xian Shi

General Surgery

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Tetanus incubation period

Tetanus is a specific infection caused by Clostridium tetani. The incubation period of tetanus is generally seven to eight days, but it can be as short as 24 hours or as long as several months to years. Patients with shorter incubation periods have a worse prognosis. Tetanus occurs within two weeks after injury in 90% of patients, presenting symptoms such as general weakness, headache, dizziness, chewing difficulty, local muscle tightness, painful pulling, and increased reflexes. Typical symptoms include muscle tonic contraction, opisthotonus, and facial expressions characterized by lockjaw and a sardonic smile.

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General Surgery

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Can I breastfeed after getting a tetanus shot?

Current research indicates that lactating women are not contraindicated for tetanus vaccination; the main contraindication is allergy to the tetanus vaccine. Generally, if there are high-risk factors for tetanus infection, timely wound debridement and care should be performed, followed by early administration of passive immunization with tetanus vaccine. Generally, tetanus antitoxin can be used based on the results of a skin test. If the skin test result is strongly positive, its use should be avoided, and tetanus immunoglobulin should be chosen instead. The effective metabolic period of tetanus immunoglobulin is about three weeks. If high-risk factors for infection still exist beyond this time limit, timely enhancement of immune therapy should be considered. Regarding the tetanus vaccine, it is generally advised that the earlier it is administered, the better, as early administration can neutralize the tetanus toxin already present in the blood. However, if the tetanus toxin has already bound to nerve cells, treatment becomes relatively difficult.

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General Surgery

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Where to get a tetanus shot?

First, if a patient has a traumatic injury with a deep wound, there is a possibility of infection by tetanus bacillus. It's necessary to inject a tetanus shot into the muscle. After administering the tetanus shot, the wound must be thoroughly debrided. Generally, hydrogen peroxide and saline should be used to repeatedly rinse the wound, reaching the deepest part to ensure that the tetanus bacillus is completely killed. For getting a tetanus shot, one can go to regular hospitals, outpatient clinics, or emergency departments. It is also possible to get vaccinated at community health centers and township health centers where vaccinations are available.