How to administer an injection if the tetanus skin test is negative

Written by Xu Jun Hui

General Surgery

Updated on December 10, 2024

00:00

00:00

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.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Li Chang Yue

General Surgery

46sec

home-news-image

Does tetanus infect others?

Tetanus occurs when wounds are contaminated by Clostridium tetani, which then proliferates and grows within the human body, ultimately causing tetanus. Generally, tetanus is not transmitted from person to person; it usually occurs when bacteria invade the body through external injuries or wounds. Additionally, newborns may contract tetanus through the birth canal during delivery. Therefore, for deep or large wounds, especially in heavily contaminated conditions, it is crucial to clean and possibly stitch the wounds promptly. If necessary, tetanus immune globulin injections and vaccinations against these bacteria can be administered to thoroughly prevent the occurrence of tetanus.

home-news-image

Written by Xu Jun Hui

General Surgery

45sec

home-news-image

Can you drink alcohol after a tetanus shot?

Before undergoing tetanus treatment, it is advised not to drink alcohol. This is because there are two types of tetanus injections: the tetanus toxoid, which requires a skin test, and the tetanus immunoglobulin, which does not require a skin test. Drinking alcohol causes the capillaries to dilate, leading to skin redness, which can affect the results of the skin test. A positive result in the skin test, indicated by skin redness, means that tetanus toxoid cannot be administered, and instead, the more expensive tetanus immunoglobulin must be used. Moreover, for deeper wounds such as open injuries and fractures, tetanus treatment is essential. Tetanus infection can have severe consequences if not treated properly.

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

1min 4sec

home-news-image

When is the best time to get a tetanus shot?

Tetanus infection carries a certain mortality rate, with current statistics indicating that the death rate from tetanus infection can reach around 40%. Typically, tetanus is caused by an acute, specific infection resulting from the growth and reproduction of Clostridium tetani in human wounds, which produce toxins. Generally, it can only grow and reproduce in an anoxic environment, so it is most commonly found in soil, human and animal feces, and rust. For wounds, especially sharp and deep cuts, it is usually vital to administer a tetanus shot promptly. The choices generally are tetanus immunoglobulin or tetanus antitoxin, which have different half-lives; tetanus antitoxin generally lasts about three days, whereas tetanus immunoglobulin can last up to three weeks. Therefore, in the presence of high-risk infection factors, it is advisable to administer the injection as soon as possible, generally recommended within 24 hours.

home-news-image

Written by Wang Xiang Li

Emergency Medicine

1min 20sec

home-news-image

What should I do if I am allergic to tetanus shots?

The full name of the tetanus shot is tetanus antitoxin serum, which is mainly made from horse serum and has certain allergenic properties. If a patient is allergic to tetanus antitoxin serum, desensitization injections can be used, which involves gradually injecting one milliliter of the tetanus antitoxin serum into the body in four or more sessions, with each injection spaced about twenty to thirty minutes apart. After each injection, it is important to closely observe the patient's reaction, including checking for signs of itching in the nose, hives throughout the body, or difficulty breathing. If any of these symptoms occur, emergency treatment should be administered. If the injections of tetanus antitoxin serum cannot be completed multiple times, or if the patient is unwilling to accept this method of injection, tetanus immunoglobulin can be administered instead of tetanus antitoxin serum. Tetanus immunoglobulin does not require a sensitivity test and can be directly injected into the body without causing an allergic reaction, although it is more expensive.

home-news-image

Written by Xing Wen Jun

General Surgery

57sec

home-news-image

Where is the tetanus shot injected?

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.