What is tetanus?

Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
Updated on March 16, 2025
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Tetanus infection occurs when Clostridium tetani invades the human body through skin and mucosal membranes, producing certain neurotoxins that lead to symptoms. As Clostridium tetani is an anaerobic bacterium, it typically thrives in anaerobic environments and is often found in heavily contaminated, muddy, or rusty conditions. Therefore, if there is an infection in a wound that is deep, located in an oxygen-poor environment, or heavily contaminated with dirt or rust, or in cases of extensive open fractures, explosion injuries, etc., anti-tetanus treatment is essential. It is generally recommended to administer an injection within 24 hours of the injury, which includes tetanus toxoid that requires a skin test—this is not to be used by patients with allergies—and tetanus immunoglobulin, which does not require a skin test.

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Written by Gao Sen
General Surgery
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What are the complications of tetanus?

The main complications of tetanus primarily include suffocation, atelectasis, and pulmonary infections. Patients with severe conditions should have a tracheotomy performed as soon as possible to improve ventilation and clear the respiratory tract secretions. At the same time, artificial assisted breathing can be conducted, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used as an adjunctive treatment. Care during tracheotomy should focus on airway management, including airway nebulization, humidification, flushing, and prevention of pressure sores, utilizing strict aseptic techniques to prevent cross-infection and subsequent pulmonary infections. Antibiotics should be selected based on the type of bacteria, and dedicated personnel should be assigned for nursing to prevent injuries from biting the tongue.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
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Can I eat tomatoes after a tetanus shot?

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 Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Can I eat before getting a tetanus shot?

Tetanus shots are a common preventive measure. Once symptoms appear, they can directly impact many aspects of the body, and further judgement is based on specific conditions. Generally, if there are no special problems, a normal diet is acceptable. However, during eating, it is advisable to avoid spicy and irritating foods, as such foods can directly affect certain functions or enhance immunity, which is the most important treatment approach. Additionally, it is necessary to consider the patient's physical condition to assess whether the tetanus bacillus injection can still be effective beforehand, or if a light diet is required. This can provide a very precise approach, which is more beneficial for the prevention of subsequent vaccinations.

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Written by Gao Jun
Emergency Surgery
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What should I do if the tetanus test is positive?

A positive tetanus result generally refers to a positive result in the tetanus antitoxin skin test. Tetanus antitoxin is primarily used to prevent tetanus infections. Some patients may experience allergic reactions to tetanus, manifesting as localized swelling, mild fever, and general discomfort during the skin test. In such cases, a desensitization injection method can be chosen, which involves administering the tetanus shot in several doses at intervals. Alternatively, tetanus immunoglobulin can be used, which is more expensive on the market but has the advantage of not requiring a skin test. It can be administered directly, safely, and effectively.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei
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How long should one abstain from certain foods for tetanus?

To determine how long to avoid certain foods for tetanus, it is necessary first to assess the onset and severity of the disease. During the onset of the disease, it is generally essential to avoid certain foods, and this dietary restriction usually lasts throughout the treatment process. If it concerns the administration of a tetanus vaccine, then dietary restrictions typically last about a week. Since the tetanus vaccine includes tetanus antitoxin, and its effective duration is about one week, it can effectively prevent tetanus bacterium infection during this time. Therefore, during this period, one must avoid certain foods, usually avoiding spicy and greasy foods. It is advisable to primarily consume a light diet, drink plenty of water, and eat plenty of vegetables and fruits to better aid in preventing tetanus bacterium.