Is the risk of tetanus high?

Written by Tang Da Wei

General Surgery

Updated on December 26, 2024

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Tetanus occurs infrequently, but once it appears, the condition can be very severe and may lead to death if not treated promptly. Tetanus infection is mainly caused by infection with the tetanus bacillus. The tetanus bacillus is an anaerobic bacterium that exists everywhere in nature. If the wound is very deep with a small surface area, and the conditions inside the wound become anaerobic, if the tetanus bacilli inside the wound are not thoroughly cleaned, it could lead to the rapid reproduction of the tetanus bacilli, releasing tetanus toxin and causing a tetanus infection in the patient.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui

General Surgery

58sec

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Which department should I go to at the hospital for a tetanus shot?

Tetanus shots should be administered at a regular hospital in the emergency department. There are two types of tetanus injections: one that requires a skin test, called tetanus toxoid, and one that doesn't require a skin test, called tetanus immunoglobulin. It is generally recommended to get the tetanus shot within 24 hours of injury, and it is best to avoid alcohol before the injection. Drinking can cause dilation and reddening of the skin's capillaries, which can affect the results of the tetanus skin test. Tetanus is usually caused by the invasion of Clostridium tetani into the body, a type of anaerobic bacterium. Thus, for wounds that are small, deep, and heavily contaminated, such as with dirt, rust, or in cases of open fractures, anti-tetanus treatment is essential, and a tetanus shot can be administered in the hospital's emergency department.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei

General Surgery

52sec

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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.

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Written by Li Jin Quan

General Surgery

33sec

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Tetanus is what it means.

The pathogen of tetanus is Clostridium tetani, which abundantly exists in our surrounding environment, such as rusty iron and moist soil. When the skin or mucous membranes of the human body are damaged, Clostridium tetani enters the body through these breaches. In an anaerobic environment, it grows and proliferates extensively, thereby producing toxins that cause a specific infection called tetanus. The main clinical manifestations are lockjaw, muscle spasms, and rigidity.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei

General Surgery

55sec

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How many times can a tetanus shot be administered in a year?

The tetanus toxin vaccine is used for emergency vaccination. The main ingredient of this vaccine is the tetanus antitoxin. It is best to be vaccinated within 24 hours, and the sooner the vaccination is administered, the stronger the potential for protection. However, the duration of protection provided by the vaccine is not very long, and the effect of the tetanus antitoxin medication generally lasts about a week. Therefore, vaccination within 24 hours can effectively prevent problems that may occur within that week. Generally, there is no specific number for the annual frequency, but it is usually recommended not to exceed three times per year. Of course, this depends on the degree of injury. If there is a risk of infection, then the vaccine should be administered since its preventive effect is currently considered the best and can achieve significant efficacy.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei

General Surgery

53sec

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How long should you avoid certain foods after getting a tetanus shot?

Tetanus antitoxin medication serves a preventative function and is commonly used as a vaccine. Receiving a tetanus shot is essentially aimed at preventing infections from the tetanus bacterium. Generally, there are dietary restrictions to follow after getting the shot. The effect of this medication typically lasts about a week, during which it is necessary to observe these dietary restrictions. It is usually advisable to avoid spicy or cold foods, such as chili peppers, beef, lamb, dog meat, or seafood. These should be eaten sparingly or avoided altogether. Otherwise, these spicy foods might directly affect the efficacy of the tetanus antitoxin. In such cases, the prevention of tetanus infections could be significantly reduced, thereby increasing the likelihood of contracting tetanus bacterium.