Is it necessary to avoid certain foods after a tetanus shot?

Written by Gao Tian

General Surgery

Updated on April 21, 2025

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After a tetanus shot, dietary restrictions are generally needed, especially within the first 24 hours after the injection.

Therefore, it is advisable to go to the surgical department for thorough wound cleaning and disinfection as soon as possible. If there is pus, a drainage tube should be placed. Follow-up plans should be made based on the results. Normally, pay attention to rest and diet, eat less spicy and greasy food, keep the wound clean and dry, change dressings on time. If inflammation occurs, oral antibiotics may be needed to control the infection, followed by regular check-ups.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

1min

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How many times do you need to get a tetanus shot?

The number of tetanus shots required depends on the specific condition of the wound and the patient's previous immunization history. Generally, for smaller, superficial, and cleaner wounds, which are considered to have a low risk of tetanus infection, the body can produce protective antibodies on its own. In such cases, a tetanus toxoid injection is given once a month, usually three times in total, allowing the patient's body to produce active antibodies and obtain long-term protection. If the wound is large, deep, and contaminated, with a substantial amount of foreign material or necrotic tissue, the chances of tetanus infection are very high. In such cases, passive immunization is actively conducted, usually involving tetanus antitoxin or immunoglobulin. Here, typically three doses of tetanus toxoid are administered to stimulate the body to produce active antibodies and achieve long-term protection.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei

General Surgery

57sec

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How many days after getting a tetanus shot can you drink alcohol?

Tetanus is a serious disease with a prognosis that generally causes specific infection issues. The incubation period is usually around one day, but it can be as long as 50 days or even longer in some patients. However, once there is a possibility of a tetanus infection, it is necessary to inject antiviral medication for tetanus to treat and improve the condition. Generally, this can be effective. After this injection, it is definitely not advisable to consume alcohol. Typically, one should consider drinking alcohol only after at least half a month. At the same time, it is also best to avoid spicy, cold, and stimulating foods to enhance the therapeutic effects of the tetanus injection. This can also aid in better adjustments later on. Therefore, in such cases, it is crucial to abstain completely from alcohol to avoid affecting the effectiveness of the tetanus injection. This is the best approach.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui

General Surgery

50sec

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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 Ai Bing Quan

General Surgery

52sec

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Can I drink alcohol after getting a tetanus shot?

After receiving a tetanus shot, it is not allowed to drink alcohol. Alternatively put, if you drink alcohol, you should not get a tetanus shot. At the same time, one should avoid consuming spicy, stimulating foods, and foods that are likely to cause allergies, to prevent allergic reactions and local wound fever. Tetanus shots are primarily used for injuries, therefore, patients with injuries should not consume the aforementioned substances and are advised to eat foods high in protein and vitamins to promote wound healing. Moreover, it is also necessary to enhance local dressing changes. A tetanus shot is solely used to prevent infections caused by tetanus; only through thorough wound cleaning and improving the anaerobic environment can the presence of tetanus be potentially eliminated.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai

Hepatobiliary Surgery

55sec

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Do you get a fever during the early stages of tetanus?

Tetanus symptoms can potentially begin with a fever during the early stage, generally occurring between six and ten days after injury, meaning symptoms can appear within 24 hours or several weeks post-injury. The shorter the incubation period, the more severe the symptoms and the higher the risk. Some patients may experience fatigue, headache, dizziness, restlessness, and possibly fever. Subsequently, typical symptoms of tetanus occur, primarily characterized by intense muscle contractions starting with the facial muscles. This includes difficulties in opening the mouth and lockjaw, among others. Thus, prevention is crucial for tetanus. When there is a local tissue injury, it is essential to promptly disinfect with hydrogen peroxide or iodine, followed by cleaning and suturing the wound and timely tetanus vaccination to prevent the disease.