After cutting my hand yesterday at work, I went to the ER to see if I needed stitches. I did not, but they gave me a tetnis shot. Why? And was it necessary??
2007-10-08 01:29:42 · 6 answers · asked by kamajamom 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Anytime you have a puncture wound or a deep cut caused by a sharp object, a tetnus shot is recommended unless you've had one in the past 10 years.
Tetanus is caused by an organism called Clostridium tetani.
C. tetani usually enters the body through a wound. In the presence of anaerobic (low oxygen) conditions, the spores germinate. Toxins are produced and disseminated via blood
and lymphatics. Toxins act at several sites within the central nervous system, including peripheral motor end plates, spinal cord, and brain, and in the sympathetic nervous system. The typical clinical manifestations of tetanus are caused when
tetanus toxin interferes with release of neurotransmitters, blocking inhibitor impulses. This leads to uncontrollable muscle contraction and spasm. Seizures may occur, and the autonomic nervous system may also be affected.
Clostridium tetani is widely distributed in nature and the spores are very resistant to autoclaving and disinfection steps.
It is a very preventable disease. Once it begins in the body, it is very difficult to treat. Prevention is the best approach. The tetanus shot will allow your body to product antibodies to the organism that would kill it before a big infection could get started.
Sounds like they treated you correctly. Good for you and good for them!
Below is a website where I found some good reliable information.
2007-10-08 05:57:35 · answer #1 · answered by Tech 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any time you get an injury or bite, you should have a tetanus shot to prevent lock jaw. You should have a Tetanus shot every 7 to 10 years for protection. To answer your question, yes it was necessary.
2007-10-08 08:38:50 · answer #2 · answered by Diane B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on when your last shot was, I get mine every 5 years, just to be on the safe side. If you don't know when you had one, it is best to get one for any serious cut or wound, to ward of certain infections that could be deadly. It's just a shot and it could save your life. don't sweat it.
2007-10-08 08:33:33 · answer #3 · answered by kevinitisii 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its for when you cut urself with metal. it protects you from all the germs and infection coming into your body. you should get on every 5 years like the first person said, just to be on the safe side
2007-10-08 08:38:06 · answer #4 · answered by attackofthegirt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it probably was. you should get one routinely every 10 years. especially anytime you get cut with metal it could infect your blood. try this site to learn more : http://www.tetanus.org/?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Tetanus
2007-10-08 08:40:55 · answer #5 · answered by bernel1403 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
dont really know why they give it-but its something to keep you from getting lock jaw--it's supposed to come from rust. did you get cut on a rusty somethin? also you are supposed to get one every ten years-so it may be that your time was near and it was precautionary.
2007-10-08 08:34:23 · answer #6 · answered by berlytea 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋