About 3 weeks ago, I cut my foot on the top of a nail whils walking in my house.
I dont think there was any rust on the nail cos its indoors? however it bleed quite a lot.
I washed and cleaned it straight away with anti bactierial stuff and put a bandage on it. Its heeled up pretty well since.
Yesterday I cup my thumb on a metal tack in a draw (again indoors) wich bled too.
Im 24 and had my last tetanus shot when I was 15-16.
What are the signs of tetanus and how long after a cut is it diagnosed?
Thanks for you help
2006-07-12 06:42:09 · 16 answers · asked by dr_emmett_l_brown1885 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
No one seems to know the signs of tetanus. Lockjaw is one of the final stages of advanced tetanus- you wont see that, youll be too sick to notice by then. The EARLIER signs of tetanus are PAIN AND SWELLING at the site of the wound. Next is painful spasm of the muscles around the injury. You can get tetanus especially form SOIL CONTAMINATED wounds- its a misnomer that "rust" on he nail has anyuthing to do with it.
Signs of tetanus infection in a wound usually start 4-14 days after you pick up the germ- the average is 7 days. BUT, that doesnt mean you should wait up to 7 dyas before getting the shot. In fact, your shot should be given as soon as possible after any puncture injury in order to have the best chances of working. By the time you have symptoms of tetanus, youre going to be flayed open, irrigated, and put in hospital.
Its also a misnomer that a tetanus shot from 10 years ago is "worthless"- you probably still have some tetanus antibodies from that shot, but your chances of avoiding a tetanus infection is greater the higher your anibody levels are. So a ROUTINE tetanus booster shot is recommended every ten years. BUT, if doctors judge the wound to be a high risk one, you should get a tetanus shot even if only FIVE years has passed since your last one. In addition, for the highest risk cases, tetanus immune globulin is used.
2006-07-16 12:20:15 · answer #1 · answered by hobo_chang_bao 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tetanus used to be called lockjaw - with a reason. Your jaw becomes almost immobile, you have a lot of pain and it takes a least a week to recover. The tetanus shot you had 10 years ago is now useless. Just because there was no rust on a nail doesn't mean you can't get infected. The fact that it bled freely is a good sign as it probably washed the cuts clean. Using an antibacterial agent was good too. If you do not see any local swelling, tenderness or pain I wouldn't worry too much about infection. If tetanus hasn't developed in 3 weeks it probably won't.
2006-07-12 06:48:51 · answer #2 · answered by smgray99 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if you know we are gonna tell that then why dont you go.. see, the anti tetanus serum which we commonly call a.t.t is useful if you get the shot within 24 hours of injury. tetanus causes lock jaw.it is a condition which affects the nervous system causing painful uncontrolled muscle spasms. the first signs r usually headaches and spasm or cramping of the jaw muscles. spasms may spread to other parts of the body and cause seizures. the symptoms may start within 2 weeks bbut may range from 2 days to years after entry of the toxin. the lesser the time the more fatal. dont worry much untill u have these symptoms but always better to consult a doctor rather ponder over it.. take care
2006-07-12 06:59:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tetanus lives in soil. People in the West shouldn't even worry about Tetanus bacteria. If you are weak and malnourished thats how you can catch Tetanus. Healthy people would fight Tetanus right off - with or without the shot
2006-07-12 06:49:58 · answer #4 · answered by johncharlesrealty 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you need to be put in a round room with padded walls! Tetanus shots last 10 years.
2006-07-12 06:47:01 · answer #5 · answered by RIA 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
first...start being more careful!!!.
second...lock jaw is another word for tetanus...hence the symptoms of a stiff neck and jaw and then will become more generalized and fatal.
third..tetanus shots last for only 5 yrs
forth...get to the doctor now!!
2006-07-12 06:50:39 · answer #6 · answered by pixie241xxx 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Same thing happened to me... just go get the shot. I had the same thing, felt the same way, and when my hand turned green they had to reopen the cut (MAJOR ouchie!) and I was on antibiotics for weeks... its still a mess! You're might not be that bad, but I would hate for you to go through what I did. Better safe than sorry, and believe me... I was very sorry!
2006-07-12 06:54:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well you should not get anythin because doctors say a tetanus shot last 11years but i would just go and get another one to be safe!
2006-07-12 06:47:57 · answer #8 · answered by star_punky2005 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tetanus causes lockjaw, where your mouth clenches shut and you have trouble speaking. If you have any tightness in your jaws, I'd get to a doctor PDQ!
2006-07-12 06:46:22 · answer #9 · answered by Me in Canada eh 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Consult http://www.webmd.com for symptoms and all information on tetanus. It is a professional online health site.
2006-07-12 06:46:53 · answer #10 · answered by fuhreezing 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋