I have been told to get a tetanus shot. Why? The wound didn't even bleed when i pulled it out
2006-08-18 01:58:14 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
It doesn't matter if it didn't bleed.. if it went through your skin, you still need a tetanus shot if you haven't had one in the past 5 years. A wound doesn't have to bleed to get infected.. you don't want gangrene or lock jaw.. better safe than sorry. So get one if you haven't had one recently.
2006-08-18 02:02:31 · answer #1 · answered by Imani 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You know what? I did something almost EXACTLY the same - when I was younger my father left a board on a step in the garage with a nail in it. When I went out that way, of course I stepped on it. That dag gone thing went through my big toe - I don't remember any pain, but I did scream when I saw it. Gosh my dad felt bad.
Anyway, I went to ER and had a tetanus shot. Better to be safe - I've seen many here that are giving you the facts about it. Oh, and they put a bandage around it, too - didn't bleed much and I'm not even sure you can see where the nail went through today.
2006-08-18 02:50:44 · answer #2 · answered by Isthisnametaken2 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had that happen to me with a rusty nail that was in a plywood board, and I had to get a tetanus shot.
IT CAN TAKE DAYS TO WEEKS BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAER SO MEANWHILE...GET THE SHOT!
I am putting quotes from a website I linked so you will know why you need to go to your County Health Department and get the shot.
"Tetanus is a disease that can be fatal. The patient's muscles spasm (become very tight) and she/he can't relax the muscle. Eventually, the person can't get air into their lungs, their blood pressure will fluctuate, and their heart will not beat properly. When that happens the patient could die. ...
"Tetanus is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani."
"The classic example of someone getting tetanus is when a person steps on a rusty nail. The rust does not cause tetanus. However, the nail is dirty and has Clostridium tetani spores on it. If the nail goes in deep into the foot and causes some damage then there is little oxygen around to kill the bacteria. The Clostridium tetani spores can then grow into vegetative cells and produce tetanospasmin. It can take a few days to weeks before the person has any symptoms of tetanus. The most common symptom is lockjaw. The tetanospasmin prevents relaxation of the jaw muscles. Other early symptoms include drooling, sweating, irritability, ..."
Hope this helps!
2006-08-18 02:05:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should still get a tetanus shot if you haven't had one in the last like 5 or 7 years. Just because you didn't poke a blood vessel or a vein, doesn't mean that the rust couldn't transmit the tetanus virus/infection to you just as easily.
Or, take your chances, don't get a shot and you still have a good chance of coming out just fine. It just depends on whether you want to have to worry about it and possibly get really sick, or get a shot that takes a second.
Better yet, see a Doctor. Then you can get a professional opinion.
2006-08-18 02:09:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you haven't had a tetanus shot within the last ten years or so, or if the nail was in any way associated or in the neighborhood of horses or cattle, you could get a serious tetanus infection. Go ask your doctor.
2006-08-18 02:05:21 · answer #5 · answered by crispy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A tetanus shot won't stop it getting infected but it will prevent a nasty, life threatening illness which occurs in anaerobic environments (e.g. the wound left by a rusty nail, which could well harbor the disease).
If you've had such a nasty injury, without feeling too sorry for yourself, why are you making such a fuss over getting a shot in your rump?
2006-08-18 02:09:16 · answer #6 · answered by CC...x 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually it is every 10 years you should get a tetanus shot. I got one in 96 and one this year because the doctor told me it was time and it should be every 10 years.
2006-08-18 02:04:18 · answer #7 · answered by Pinolera 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to have a tetanus shot every 10 years. I've never heard of anyone getting lock-jaw but it is not such a big deal to get the shot.
2006-08-18 02:05:32 · answer #8 · answered by chante 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree with Imani accept that some tetanus shots don't last 5 years.So if you haven't gotten a tetanus shot within a year you should get one now.
2006-08-18 02:05:03 · answer #9 · answered by telis_gr1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will desire to bathe it with heat salty water or disinfectant. then you rather would desire to think of approximately once you final had a tentanus shot. notwithstanding if it relatively is a protracted time you will desire to bypass to the generic practitioner and get one. tetanus is a foul bacterial an infection that would close down your disturbing device and kill you. it ought to reason lock jaw. you like a shot each and every ten years and after getting into touch with rusty iron with the aid of cuts etc. different than that the wound will harm yet wiill heal ok
2016-10-02 06:00:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋