Why do they say that you should get a tetnis shot after being, like, stabbed by a metal thing, even though the

Question

one you had before is still good (you know, cause usually you have to get one every ten years or so, if I remember correctly...). Cause I got a small cut/impalement on a screw today, and somebody told me I should go get another tetnis shot, but I'm not due for another one for a few years.... I'm just curious.

Obviously lockjaw can occur, but why should i have to get another shot if the one I had before is still good?

Answer 1

You need to have a booster if it has been five years since your last one. But only if the wound is fairly deep. And , yes, you CAN have too many tetanus shots! I am very accident prone, and have been in the military(lost shot records) and my last tetanus shot made me VERY, VERY ill. If you need one, on the advice of a Dr., get it, but be aware that any vaccination has side affects, and they should not be given if not needed.

Answer 2

First of all most people when asked cant remember the last time they had a tetenus shot. 2nd the yrs in question are only 7 now. And 3rd whenever you are stabbed or step on an object that more than likely has some kind of bacteria on it. Well it is better to be safe than get lock jaw..

Answer 3

For a minor injury, you should get a tetanus shot if your last tetanus shot was over 10 years ago.

For a complicated or contaminated wound (including puncture wounds), you need to get a tetanus shot if your last tetanus shot was over 5 years ago.

*TIDBIT: There are three different combination immunizations that include a vaccine for tetanus.

DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis). This immunization is given in a series of five shots beginning at age 2 months and ending between ages 4 and 6 years.

Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). This is the first booster shot for tetanus and is recommended for children between ages 11 and 12 years who have completed the DTaP vaccination series. Teens or adults who have never had the Tdap vaccine should talk to their doctors about getting it for their next tetanus booster.

Td (tetanus and diphtheria). This vaccine is given as a booster shot every 10 years.

Answer 4

Tatanus is caused by a bacterium that is closely associated with rusty metal, but also any other metal. If the bacteria has entered a wound caused by a metal laceration, a pre-existing tetanus shot may not be enough. The would may need to be cleaned and, as a preventative measure, you would likely be given metronidazole for a few days.

Answer 5

Because the older you get the faster the 10 years keep zooming by. Trust me on that one. Have been vaccinated several times even though shots were up to date. Got bitten by an 8' boa and when a neighbor's dog got loose, my cat bit me up pretty bad. Certainly is better to be safe than sorry, as the old saying goes.

Answer 6

A tetanus shot is good for UP TO ten years, but its effectiveness diminishes gradually over that period of time. So while you have good protection for the first couple of years, it gradually wears off until at the end of ten years, you have no protection left. It isn't good for ten years and then at ten years and one day it turns off. So if it's been several years since you had your last tetanus shot, it would be a good idea to get one now, to make sure you are protected.

Answer 7

better safe than sorry if that, or they just dont know what there talking about, cuz tetnis causes lock jaw where you cant move your mouth at all

Answer 8

2 shots dont work better than 1!

Answer 9

Lock Jaw comes to mind.

Answer 10

i guess people just say to go get one as a precaution incase your tetanus immunity is low. it doesn't do you any harm to be safe rather than sorry.