My friend accidently cut herself with a push pin and she thinks its infected. Does she need a Tetanus shot?
2007-02-04 08:05:19 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
If it was rusty, yes. Otherwise she just needs to keep the area clean with some peroxide and triple antibiotic ointment.
2007-02-04 08:10:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be covered for tetanus one must have had a full course ( 3 injections) of the tetanus vaccine. Usually given in the first year of life. A booster shot is then given in the teenage years. One is then covered until around the 50 birthday.
However, one is advised to have a tetanus shot following a tetanus prone wound. This is a wound which has or may have come into contact with soil of plant materials.
If this is the case and one has never had tetanus vaccinations then tetanus immunoglobulin is necessary.
So if the pushpin was clean and she has had all her childhood shots, it is unlikely that she is a risk of tetanus. However, the wound may be infected by any number of other organisms so a trip to her Dr of emergency department would be prudent.
2007-02-04 21:16:14 · answer #2 · answered by mandy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally not, unless it was rusty or very dirty with soil and/or animal matter. However, it is a good idea to keep tetanus up to date -10 years is the norm here, but I think opinions vary a little on that. While *usually* only quite deep punctures with soil, rust or manure cause infections, there are rare occasions when even a smaller scrape has been the suspected source of infection. And to the best of my knowledge, apart from maybe a slight painful bump on the location of the vaccination, there are no serious side effects (like for example from the smallpox vaccine where a small number of vaccinated people get a serious reaction).
2007-02-04 16:17:46 · answer #3 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. Don't wait for an injury to occur, because tetanus (lockjaw) is horrid. Just make it a part of your annual physical every decade.
If your friend's finger is infected, she'll want to get it treated. In which case the ER/doctor will -- as a matter of course -- give her a tetanus shot if she hasn't had a recent booster.
2007-02-04 16:23:30 · answer #4 · answered by Lady Yaz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, especially so if she shows signs of fever. People die of tetanus infection within a week.
2007-02-04 22:50:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It couldn't hurt for her to get one, if she hasn't had one recently. If her most recent tetanus shot is still current, there's no need to get a new one.
2007-02-05 15:00:43 · answer #6 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was rusty or dirty or something, then yes. I would. Also, NEVER USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE!!!! (Isn't that the stuff that eats the flesh off of bones for like a museum or science class...) It's best just to use soap and water to clean any kind of mild abrasion or puncture would, however, if it is deep or is any color other than white, pink or light red, you may want to see a doctor (especially if it looks dark red or any other non-flesh-like color.)
2007-02-04 16:45:11 · answer #7 · answered by I am Eb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wouldn't hurt. Usually the doctor will ask if she's had one in the last five years.
2007-02-04 16:11:09 · answer #8 · answered by Tiss 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋