Where is the tetanus shot generally administered?

Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
Updated on July 03, 2025
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In clinical practice, tetanus shots are widely used, especially if the wound at the injured site is deep, it is advised to go to the hospital for an injection of tetanus antitoxin. Before injecting the tetanus antitoxin, a skin test must be conducted. Common practice for skin tests involves creating a small bump on the forearm; if the bump does not enlarge, if there is no local infiltration or redness, and if the patient feels no itch, then it is safe to proceed with the intramuscular injection of the tetanus antitoxin. The injection site is usually chosen on the deltoid muscle of the upper arm or the muscles of the buttocks. After disinfection, the injection can be administered directly at these locations. This describes the injection sites for tetanus.

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tetanus early symptoms

Tetanus is an infection caused by Clostridium tetani, which enters the body through broken skin or mucous membranes and thrives in an anaerobic environment, producing toxins. Clinically, tetanus is characterized by lockjaw, episodic spasms, and rigid spasms, primarily affecting the muscles such as the masseter, latissimus dorsi, abdominal muscles, and limb muscles. Early symptoms of tetanus infection include general weakness, dizziness, headache, weak chewing, localized muscle tightness, pulling pain, and heightened reflexes.

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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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Can I get a tetanus shot in the emergency room?

The injection of tetanus shots is performed in the emergency department of regular hospitals. Tetanus shots are divided into tetanus toxoid, which requires a skin test, and tetanus immunoglobulin, which does not require a skin test. If the skin test for tetanus toxoid is positive, indicating an allergy, it cannot be injected, and must be replaced with the slightly more expensive tetanus immunoglobulin. It is generally recommended to administer the injection within 24 hours after injury to prevent infection by Clostridium tetani. Clostridium tetani is an anaerobic bacterium. It is necessary to administer tetanus treatment for injuries that are deep, in anaerobic conditions, contaminated, heavily contaminated with soil, rust, open fractures, etc., since these conditions can be conducive to tetanus infection.

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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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Does tetanus cause fever?

When a person is infected with tetanus, the early symptoms mainly include dizziness, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, weak chewing, sore jaw muscles, some muscle tension, or some hyperactive reflexes. As the condition worsens, typical clinical manifestations occur, such as difficulty opening the mouth, a sardonic smile, opisthotonos or neck stiffness, muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, and in severe cases, respiratory weakness or respiratory arrest. Some patients may develop a fever after being infected with tetanus. Therefore, some tetanus patients do show symptoms of fever.