tetanus :| i have it?

Question

today i stepped on a nail
im not sure if it was rusty or not
it went through the sole of my shoe
about twent minutes after it happened i put some TCP (antiseptic) on it

however
the cut isnt big
its not even a cut
its about the size of a head of a sharpened pencil
but it didnt bleed.
it only gave out a spot of blood when i put alot of pressure on it

i just wanted to know the odds of me having tetanus or not?
im very worried as it can be fatal!

Answer 1

Well you won't know if you have tetanus until u start to show symptoms, and once the symptoms start theres not much the doctors can do. It all depends on when was the last time you had your tetanus shot. If it was more than 10 yrs ago , i suggest you go get it, just to be on the safe side, cause maybe the nail that you stepped on didn't have clostridium tetani(bacteria that causes tetanus), but you never know. it's better to be safe than sorry, i hope this helps. and goodluck.

Answer 2

Tetanus vaccine is usually given as three shots when we are children. This produces pretty good (but not perfect) immunity against tetanus.

Because tetanus is such a horrible (and potentially fatal) illness and because there's little doctors can do about it once it sets in, most people figure "pretty good" immunity isn't good enough. For this reason, if you sustain an injury and it's been > 10 years since your last tetanus shot, you should have another. If the wound is particularly dirty (e.g. grossly contaminated with soil or feces), the tetanus shot should be updated if it's been > 5 years since the last shot.

This booster shot optimally should be given within 48 hours of the injury but being late is better than never having it.

Some folks give everyone a tetanus booster at the age of 55 or 65 just to make sure they're current - seems like good practice to me.

There's a special case if you never had the initial three tetanus shots (e.g. you grew up in a developing country) and hence never HAD any immunity to tetanus - in this case, you need to get BOTH a tetanus shot AND a tetanus immunoglobulin shot. Then, you'll need two more tetanus shots to complete the initial series and then you'll be OK.

My bottomline advice - if you're worried about something that might kill you (and tetanus counts), go see a doctor. Don't rely on well-meaning but potentially wrong advice from strangers like me!

Answer 3

When was the last time you got a tetanus shot? It is recommended every ten years. If you haven't had one recently, you should go get one immediately. That is pretty standard protocol for tetanus worries.

Symptoms of tetanus include tightening of the neck and other muscles. If you get any tightening muscles, seek treatment immediately. The mechanism of action of tetanus is that is that it causes the constant contraction of muscles. Fatalities from tetanus are fairly rare today. Traditionally, death occurred because the diaphragm contracts constantly, not allowing the person to exhale. You would know long before this that you have tetanus.

I'd get the injury checked out in any event. There are other types of infection you could get as well, but tetanus is a primary worry.

Answer 4

The doctors used to want you to get a Tetanus shot every time you stepped on a rusty nail. Now, they have started to say as long as you have had a Tetanus shot once or twice in your life, you do not need a shot every time. The reason for the Tetanus shot is because you can get Lock Jaw. If you are worried go to your doctor on Monday and get a Tetanus shot, you should be okay until then. Have you had a Tetanus shot at sometime in your life? I used to get a shot every time I stepped on something rusty, but once they said you didn't need it that often I quit, and now get one every couple of years whether I need it or not.

Answer 5

The odds of getting tetanus from a puncture wound is pretty slim. However if the nail rusty or not was exposed to certain bacteria such as those found in human or animal feces the chances are much greater.

Once symptoms develop there is little medical science can do. Be safe and smart, get a tetanus shot.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/tetanus.html

Answer 6

How deep did the nail go?

A tetanus vaccine lasts for 10 years. If its been longer than that, you need a booster shot. Even if the nail wasn't that deep, get the shot, put your mind at rest, and if anything similar happens in the next 10 years, you're covered.

Answer 7

Anytime you step on something like a rusty nail, it is always the best bet to ask the doctor, because you probably need a tetanus shot... even though you got one when you were little, if you haven't had one in ten years, you need another... do not delay on this...

Answer 8

Tetanus shots are good for 10 years. When did you last have one?

Answer 9

keep putting antiseptic. in any case go to the chemist and buy an Antibiotic to avoid internal infections. lets hope it did not reach the bone.

just one thing, i tought everyone gets a anti tetanus vaccine when we are little.

You might want to try the doctor just in case. x

Answer 10

if your still alive in the morning you may be ok however in the meantime just to be on safeside why not go get a booster tetanus shot