Where is the tetanus shot injected?

Written by Xing Wen Jun
General Surgery
Updated on May 03, 2025
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Tetanus antitoxin is generally administered via intramuscular injection, commonly in the buttock muscles. If a patient is injured by a rusty iron object, and the wound is small and deep, it is generally recommended to consider administering tetanus antitoxin actively within 24 hours after the injury to help prevent tetanus. Additionally, for local wound care, the patient needs to rinse the wound with soap and water under running water, then clean, apply, rinse, and dry with hydrogen peroxide before disinfecting with iodine. Afterwards, covering the wound with sterile Vaseline gauze and sterile dressings is appropriate. Furthermore, the patient should keep the wound dry for up to three weeks after the injury as getting it wet may delay healing or increase the risk of incisional infection. Moreover, the patient should avoid alcohol and minimize the intake of spicy and irritating foods within a month after the injury.

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Tetanus nursing measures

Tetanus Patient Care: First, isolate the patient and maintain a quiet environment to minimize disturbances. Second, communicate carefully with the patient to alleviate their anxiety and boost their confidence in overcoming the illness. Third, install bed rails on both sides of the bed to prevent the patient from falling out. Additionally, use a mouth guard to prevent tongue injuries during spasms. Fourth, pay attention to the care of the patient's oral cavity and skin to prevent the development of oral ulcers, skin breakdown, or pressure sores.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
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How to administer an injection if the tetanus skin test is negative

A negative tetanus skin test indicates that there is no allergy to tetanus antitoxin, and 1500 to 3000 units of tetanus antitoxin can be directly administered via intramuscular injection in the upper arm or buttock. If the wound is heavily contaminated or the injection is not timely, the dose may be doubled or tripled at discretion, and it is also necessary to clean and dress the wound. The purpose of administering tetanus antitoxin via intramuscular injection is to prevent infection by Clostridium tetani. Therefore, patients with heavily contaminated or deep wounds must receive tetanus antitoxin treatment.

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Written by Ai Bing Quan
General Surgery
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What department should I go to for tetanus?

Tetanus is a special type of infection that should be treated through routine surgery or emergency surgery. It is caused by the tetanus bacillus, an anaerobic bacterium typically found in feces. Tetanus is easily contracted after an injury, especially in deep wounds. Clinically, tetanus manifests initially with difficulty in opening the mouth, followed by a grimacing smile, convulsions, and respiratory difficulties later on. Preventive measures include going to the hospital immediately after an injury to have the wound cleaned at the department of general surgery or emergency surgery and concurrently receiving a tetanus serum injection.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Can getting ear piercings lead to tetanus?

Piercing ears generally does not result in a tetanus infection. Since the wounds from ear piercings are relatively small, they basically reach aerobic conditions. Tetanus bacillus are anaerobic bacteria and generally do not proliferate in an aerobic environment. In an anaerobic environment, however, tetanus bacillus can proliferate extensively, which is when a patient might show symptoms of tetanus. However, the specific condition of the patient's ears must also be considered. If the patient’s earlobes are very thick, the small external opening from the piercing might create an anaerobic environment within the middle of the earlobe. If tetanus bacillus colonizes inside the wound, it may lead to extensive proliferation of the bacteria.

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Do not get a tetanus shot before a certain age.

Tetanus antitoxin, this type of vaccine, generally has no significant age restrictions. It is usually best not to administer it before the age of one, as it involves using a toxin to combat toxins and prevent certain diseases. Therefore, it is advised not to vaccinate before one year of age. However, not everyone needs to be vaccinated against tetanus; it only serves as a preventive measure and is only necessary if there is a possibility of infection. For instance, vaccination is required when there are deep wounds or apparent injuries from rusty metal, as these conditions have a higher risk of infection. In such cases, administering tetanus antitoxin can effectively prevent infection. Thus, vaccination should depend on the specific situation rather than on age.