Yesterday as I was cooking, I cut my finger a little deep. I could see white stuff in the finger. it was bleeding for about 3 hours and today I got some buterfly stitches at the pharmacy. The knife i got the cut wasn't very rusty but it was a little bit. How do I know if I should get a tetanus shot? what are the symptoms? Thanks for help
2007-06-09 12:46:27 · 11 answers · asked by dianndeltol 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
If it has been 10 years since you had your last tetanus shot, do not pass go. Get one. They really don't hurt, and the alternative is horrible. You do not want to see symptoms before you take care of it.
OK....the gorey details....muscle rigidity, confusion, and in the end, respiratory arrest. There. Got that? Tetanus is an easily avoided infection. Why are you still sitting there....get going :) RN in North Carolina
2007-06-09 12:59:06 · answer #1 · answered by Terry W 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A tetanus vaccine is always a good idea. Especially so in this day and age. While some docs have diierent opinions on how often you need them ( when I was a kid back in the 50's and 60's you got one everytime you got cut bad enough to get stitches.) which for me was sometimes a weekly event! Now a days the rule is about every 5 years, with some saying every 10.
2007-06-09 12:56:02 · answer #2 · answered by randy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're concerned about getting tetanus, it's better to just go to the doctor and get the shot. It's not good to wait until you start experiencing symptoms before you get the shot. It's supposed to be a preventive measure, not a treatment for active tetanus.
2007-06-09 12:54:45 · answer #3 · answered by Nerys 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I, personally, would go get a tetanus shot if it has been more than five years since your last one. If it had been just a minor cut, then you would have been okay if you had had a tetanus shot in the last ten years. Usually, when you go get stitches for any kind of injury they make sure you are up to date on your tetanus immunization. Good luck!
2007-06-09 15:39:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are concerned about it...go get a tetanus shot; By the time you have the symptoms it will probably be way too late to fix things with out a long long medical session....go now and save time and aggravation in the long run.
2007-06-09 12:52:37 · answer #5 · answered by wahoo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For safety sake you should get a tetanus shot.
Personally, I think everyone should get them. Every 2 to 3 years is how often your body needs one.
2007-06-09 12:51:51 · answer #6 · answered by Paramedic Girl 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would just go to the doctor and tell him what happened. Your doctor should be able to sort you out because he has all of your medical records and he should be able to see if you tetanus is still working.
2007-06-09 12:51:02 · answer #7 · answered by THZ in B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it has been 5-7 years since your last shot you need to go get another one. Check your records and if you need one go to urgent care and get it done today.
2007-06-09 12:53:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree - talk to your doctor to find out if you're current with your shots, and tell him/her what happened.
2007-06-09 12:55:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you havent had one in the last 5 years then you need to go and have one.
2007-06-09 12:55:29 · answer #10 · answered by Rachel L 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋