How long does a tetanus shot last?

Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
Updated on February 16, 2025
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About how long a tetanus shot lasts, it generally lasts from half a year to a year without any issues. So, if there is a wound, it is crucial to go to a surgical department for wound debridement and disinfection as soon as possible, especially after rinsing with hydrogen peroxide, keep the wound clean and dry. Secondly, change dressings. Generally, if it is not an infected wound, change the dressing every 1 to 2 days, and if infected, change the dressing daily. If necessary, take oral antibiotics to prevent infection. If you are not allergic to cephalosporins, it is usual to take some cephalosporin-based medications. Afterwards, be mindful of your diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods, and have regular check-ups.

(Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Ma Xian Shi
General Surgery
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Precautions for Tetanus

Tetanus is an acute, specific infection caused by the invasion of Clostridium tetani into a human wound, where it grows, proliferates, and produces toxins. Clostridium tetani is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacillus. What should be considered in cases of tetanus? Patients with tetanus must be isolated in a single room. The environment should be as quiet as possible to avoid any auditory or visual stimuli. It is important to prevent falls from the bed or bedsores, control or relieve spasms as a key aspect of treatment, and on this basis, prevent asphyxiation and pulmonary infections. Patients with mild conditions can be treated with sedatives and sleeping pills. Severe cases may require the intravenous administration of chlorpromazine. Patients with severe convulsions or those suffering from laryngeal edema may require a tracheotomy.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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What are the chances of getting tetanus?

In clinical practice, the chances of tetanus are relatively low. Tetanus is mainly caused by infection with the tetanus bacillus. Since the tetanus bacillus is an anaerobic bacterium and is found almost everywhere in nature, patients with injuries, especially small and deep wounds, are prone to tetanus infection. Therefore, for wounds with injuries, especially deep ones, it is important to promptly administer a tetanus shot to prevent infection. At the same time, thorough debridement of the wound is necessary to completely eliminate the tetanus bacillus from the wound. If prevention or proper wound cleaning is not effectively carried out, there is a potential risk of tetanus infection.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Cut your finger, need a tetanus shot

The key is to assess the severity of the finger cut. If it's just a superficial skin scratch, then the wound is shallow, and it only requires disinfection with agents like iodophor or alcohol; there's no need for a tetanus shot. Conversely, if the cut on the finger is deep, such as reaching the subcutaneous fat or, in severe cases, the muscle layer, such deep wounds can easily lead to the growth and reproduction of tetanus bacillus, producing toxins and causing clinical symptoms in patients. Therefore, in such cases, it is recommended that patients go to the hospital to receive a tetanus antitoxin injection.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Is tetanus serious?

In usual circumstances, when we diagnose tetanus, it is crucial to use a large amount of tetanus antitoxin and tetanus immunoglobulin early on to neutralize the toxins in the blood and alleviate the symptoms of tetanus. If tetanus severely manifests with symptoms such as muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, difficulty in opening the mouth, stiff neck, or complications like respiratory difficulty, respiratory failure, or even cessation of breathing and heartbeat, the condition can lead to severe complications and high mortality rates. Thus, tetanus becomes very severe in its late stages.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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Is mild tetanus easy to treat?

Mild tetanus is easy to treat. Mild tetanus presents with slight twitching, numbness in the limbs, and stiffness, with shallow impairment of consciousness and shorter duration of convulsions. Appropriate sedatives or antiepileptic drugs such as midazolam or phenobarbital sodium can be used to control symptoms. Treatment with penicillin to combat tetanus bacillus also yields good results. Additionally, it is important to rest often, avoid excessive fatigue, drink plenty of water, and consume fresh vegetables and fruits. Avoid spicy and irritating foods. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)