Where to get a tetanus shot?

Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
Updated on May 08, 2025
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Tetanus shots are available in the emergency departments of public hospitals and are generally recommended to be administered within 24 hours after injury. It is advised not to drink alcohol before the injection, as standard tetanus toxoids need a skin test, and alcohol consumption can cause generalized skin flushing, affecting the test results. Tetanus shots are especially recommended for wounds that are heavily contaminated with dirt, rust, are from open fractures, or are deep, creating an anaerobic environment, as the bacterium Clostridium tetani is anaerobic and can lead to severe infections once contracted.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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How to avoid tetanus with minor wounds

If minor wounds are not properly handled, they can lead to serious problems, including tetanus. Treatment for minor wounds should be based on the integrity of the skin, the depth of the wound, and whether the object causing the wound was rusty. For simple minor wounds where the integrity of the skin is maintained and only abrasions are present, disinfection of the affected skin area may suffice. If the wound has compromised the integrity of the skin and is deep, especially if caused by rusty, sharp objects, it is necessary to thoroughly remove any foreign materials, clean the wound, and suture it. Dressing changes might be required, along with tetanus vaccination to prevent tetanus infection.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
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Is tetanus shot a vaccine?

Tetanus shots are not vaccines; they are a type of passive immunization. To understand this, we need to know about the pathogenesis of tetanus. Tetanus infection generally refers to an infection by Clostridium tetani, an anaerobic bacterium that proliferates and grows in wounds and can produce exotoxins, leading to corresponding clinical symptoms in patients. Therefore, tetanus shots include tetanus antitoxin and tetanus immunoglobulin. Their main function is to neutralize the bacterial exotoxins, hence they are considered passive immunization agents and belong to the antibody category, not vaccines.

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Written by Gao Sen
General Surgery
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How deep must a nail puncture be to require a tetanus shot?

Tetanus is a specific infection caused by the invasion of Clostridium tetani through skin or mucosal wounds, leading to muscle spasms. Tetanus mainly causes damage to the respiratory tract, digestive system, and cardiovascular system. If not treated promptly, it can lead to suffocation, respiratory failure, and endanger life. Tetanus is preventable; in cases of open wounds at risk of tetanus infection, tetanus antitoxin should be administered for emergency prevention. Tetanus is widely present in feces and soil and can invade the human body through dust or direct contamination of wounds, leading to infection. Wounds that are small, deep, or heavily contaminated all require preventive tetanus vaccinations.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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How many days after a tetanus shot should you not drink alcohol?

Tetanus injections are divided into tetanus toxoid, which requires a skin test, and tetanus immunoglobulin, which does not require a skin test. It is advised not to drink alcohol before receiving a tetanus toxoid injection, as alcohol can cause dilation of the capillaries throughout the body, leading to flushed skin, which can affect the outcome of the skin test and result in false positive or false negative results, impacting treatment. Wounds requiring tetanus injections are generally either very deep, severely contaminated, or involve an open fracture, typically indicating a severe wound. It is advised not to consume alcohol during the wound healing period to avoid delaying recovery. Therefore, alcohol should be avoided for 24 hours before the tetanus shot and during the subsequent recovery period of the wound.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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In what situations should tetanus shots not be administered?

Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani, which settles in the human body through mucous membranes and wounds, producing spasm-inducing neurotoxins that affect the body's muscle groups, particularly the masseter and respiratory muscles, leading to the ceasing of respiratory circulation and endangering life. Therefore, for patients with deep wounds, heavily contaminated wounds, and extensive open fractures, it is essential to administer tetanus antitoxin treatment. If the wound is superficial, clean, and dry, the patient may consider forgoing tetanus antitoxin treatment under the condition of proper wound debridement and dressing changes. However, for patients with large wound areas, deep and severely contaminated wounds, and those whose wounds are not redressed timely, it is crucial to administer tetanus antitoxin treatment.