Contraindications after a tetanus shot

Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
Updated on May 27, 2025
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Generally, after receiving a tetanus shot, it is important to check for signs of redness and itching, which are indicators of an allergic reaction. If there are no signs of an allergy, there generally is no need for concern. However, if allergic reactions do occur, it is usually necessary to administer the vaccine in divided doses using a desensitization method to effectively prevent the worsening of allergic symptoms. Of course, after such reactions, it is crucial to avoid certain foods and to improve lifestyle habits. Dietary irritants or stimulants from tobacco and alcohol can potentially damage the vaccine, leading to its ineffectiveness. Therefore, the situation should generally be assessed based on the individual's condition. Additionally, it is important to ensure timely local disinfection to prevent infections.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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How long does a tetanus shot last?

Tetanus shot refers to the tetanus antitoxin, which is a form of passive immunity. This means that when a patient suffers from external injuries, such as wounds on the feet or hands, the drug injected to prevent infection by tetanus bacillus inside the wound is tetanus antitoxin. It generally maintains its effect in the patient's body for about a week. If the patient's wound inflammation is severe and there is a suspicion of tetanus infection, it is necessary to clean the wound. If required, another injection of tetanus antitoxin might be needed after a week. On the other hand, getting the tetanus vaccine, which is an active immunity, usually involves the DTP vaccine and generally lasts about ten years.

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Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
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Can you drink alcohol after a tetanus shot?

Regarding whether you can drink alcohol after getting a tetanus shot, you should not drink alcohol as it could worsen the condition and lead to infection. The tetanus shot is mainly to prevent tetanus infection. Therefore, if there is a wound, it is advisable to go to the surgical department as soon as possible to clarify the cause, such as undergoing wound cleaning and disinfection. If necessary, take oral antibiotics to prevent infection, especially cephalosporins. However, cephalosporins and alcohol are incompatible. So, it is advisable to rest, pay attention to diet, avoid spicy and stimulating foods, adjust your mindset, change dressings on time, and consume more high-protein foods to aid in wound healing.

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Written by Ai Bing Quan
General Surgery
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Where to get a tetanus shot?

Tetanus can be treated in any department, but generally, after an injury, one would first go to the emergency room. Therefore, tetanus is very common in emergency medicine. Tetanus is a type of anaerobic bacterium that is ubiquitous in nature. If a person has a wound that is small and deep, the internal environment can become anaerobic, which easily leads to rapid proliferation of tetanus. At this point, it is necessary to inject tetanus immunoglobulin into such wounds. It is best done within 24 hours because after a long period, the tetanus bacillus might have already proliferated in the wound. A skin test should be performed before the injection, and the injection can only proceed if the skin test is negative. If the wound is relatively large and severe, it generally will not be infected by tetanus bacillus.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
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What are the symptoms of tetanus sequelae?

Tetanus, a viral infection problem, is actually quite a common disease. Usually, if the wound is deep or caused by rusty metals, there is a higher possibility of it leading to a tetanus infection. This condition requires timely treatment or prevention, otherwise, it can easily lead to complications. For example, tetanus typically causes complications primarily related to the lungs, such as pneumonia and pulmonary edema, among other issues, which are quite typical. The infected individual may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, nausea, etc., all of which could be a result of tetanus bacteria infection. In the case of a deep wound, it is crucial to promptly administer a vaccine to prevent exacerbation of the infection, and local treatment should be performed to effectively prevent it.

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Written by Ai Bing Quan
General Surgery
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What will happen with tetanus?

In clinical settings, tetanus is a type of surgical-specific infectious disease caused by the infiltration of Clostridium tetani through human skin, mucous membranes, or wounds. Tetanus toxin is a true anaerobic bacterium that thrives in oxygen-deprived environments and is highly resistant to environmental conditions. Clostridium tetani mainly produces tetanus toxin and tetanolysin, which can cause whole-body muscle spasms, including facial muscle spasms and difficulty opening the mouth. It can also lead to persistent spasms of the respiratory muscles and diaphragm, causing respiratory arrest and, in severe cases, can result in patient death.