Will a tetanus wound heal?

Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
Updated on March 21, 2025
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Tetanus wounds do not heal, and they contain a large amount of tetanus bacilli, which reproduce massively, leading to symptoms such as redness, pain, and even pus discharge in the affected area. Generally, these wounds cannot heal by themselves; even if the skin heals, the underlying and muscle tissues infected by tetanus can cause the skin to rupture and possibly accumulate pus. If a superficial wound is suspected to be infected with tetanus, it is necessary to promptly enlarge the wound, i.e., expand the surface wound, and rinse repeatedly with hydrogen peroxide and clean water to further kill the tetanus bacilli inside. At the same time, it is necessary to administer tetanus antitoxin, regularly observe the patient's clinical manifestations, and if necessary, administer tetanus antitoxin again after a period.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How long do you have to get a tetanus shot?

It is generally recommended to receive an injection as soon as possible after a trauma, ideally within 24 hours, because tetanus has a certain incubation period, with the shortest being able to cause disease within 24 hours. There is still value in receiving the injection after 24 hours; it can alleviate symptoms and play a preventive treatment role. For tetanus, it is usual to administer a tetanus shot, and most people can choose between tetanus antitoxin or tetanus immunoglobulin. The duration of these two drugs is not the same; tetanus antitoxin lasts about three days, while tetanus immunoglobulin can last up to three weeks. However, this is not an absolute conclusion. Beyond this time, if there are high-risk factors for reinfection, a repeat injection is needed. If a patient has previously been protected by an active immunization regimen, in most cases, no special preventive treatment is needed within three years of the last vaccination.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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How long does it take for tetanus to develop?

Tetanus is a specific type of infection caused by the toxin produced by the growth and reproduction of Clostridium tetani, which enters the body through damaged skin and mucous membranes and thrives in an anaerobic environment. Clinically, it is mainly characterized by lockjaw, muscle rigidity, and muscle spasms. After being infected with tetanus, people generally show symptoms within seven to eight days; in quick cases, symptoms can appear within twenty-four hours, while in longer scenarios, the onset can take several months or even years.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
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How long after a tetanus shot can you drink alcohol?

Tetanus antitoxin has a certain role in preventing the recurrence of diseases within the human body. One should not drink alcohol before the wound has fully healed. Drinking alcohol can directly affect local blood circulation, accelerate bacterial growth, and lead to infections. Generally, it is also possible that drinking after receiving a tetanus shot could affect the function of the injection. Therefore, it is advisable not to consume alcohol for at least half a month, especially within the first half month after the tetanus shot. Of course, it would be better to extend this period, such as avoiding alcohol for up to 3 months. This can achieve the best preventive effects of the tetanus toxin, and the medication can perform optimally.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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Is tetanus easy to infect?

Tetanus is not easily contracted.Tetanus bacilli belong to anaerobes, and are prone to occur in conditions where the wounds are deep, in an anoxic or low oxygen situation, heavily contaminated wounds such as with dirt or rust, and in cases of open fractures with large wounds. In these situations, tetanus bacilli can colonize the skin and mucous membranes, producing neurotoxins that lead to a series of complications. Therefore, anti-tetanus treatment must be conducted for wounds in an anaerobic environment, such as heavily arsenic-contaminated wounds.For routine wounds that are shallow and small, it is sufficient to change the dressing.

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Written by Ma Xian Shi
General Surgery
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How to administer a tetanus shot: steps

First, an allergy test must be conducted. Based on the results of the allergy test, the application of tetanus antitoxin is decided. The allergy test involves drawing 0.1 ml of antitoxin serum, diluting it with 0.9 ml of isotonic saline, and then injecting 0.05 to 0.1 ml of the diluted solution intradermally on the flexor side of the forearm. An equivalent amount of isotonic saline is injected on the other forearm as a control. Observe for 15-30 minutes. If there is no nodule or resistance at the injection site, it is a negative result. Patients with a negative result can have the rest of the original liquid injected subcutaneously. If a red nodule of about one centimeter or resistance appears at the serum injection site, the allergy test is positive. In this case, a desensitization injection is needed. The desensitization injection involves diluting the required injection fluid and the antitoxin serum with isotonic saline to ten times the volume and administering it subcutaneously in divided doses. After dilution to ten times the volume, which is 10 ml, the initial dose of 1 ml is administered, followed by 2 ml, 3 ml, and 4 ml, with each injection spaced 30 minutes apart until completed.