Tetanus is what it means.

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on September 13, 2024
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The pathogen of tetanus is Clostridium tetani, which abundantly exists in our surrounding environment, such as rusty iron and moist soil. When the skin or mucous membranes of the human body are damaged, Clostridium tetani enters the body through these breaches. In an anaerobic environment, it grows and proliferates extensively, thereby producing toxins that cause a specific infection called tetanus. The main clinical manifestations are lockjaw, muscle spasms, and rigidity.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How many times do you need to get a tetanus shot?

The number of tetanus shots required depends on the specific condition of the wound and the patient's previous immunization history. Generally, for smaller, superficial, and cleaner wounds, which are considered to have a low risk of tetanus infection, the body can produce protective antibodies on its own. In such cases, a tetanus toxoid injection is given once a month, usually three times in total, allowing the patient's body to produce active antibodies and obtain long-term protection. If the wound is large, deep, and contaminated, with a substantial amount of foreign material or necrotic tissue, the chances of tetanus infection are very high. In such cases, passive immunization is actively conducted, usually involving tetanus antitoxin or immunoglobulin. Here, typically three doses of tetanus toxoid are administered to stimulate the body to produce active antibodies and achieve long-term protection.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How long do you have to get a tetanus shot?

It is generally recommended to receive an injection as soon as possible after a trauma, ideally within 24 hours, because tetanus has a certain incubation period, with the shortest being able to cause disease within 24 hours. There is still value in receiving the injection after 24 hours; it can alleviate symptoms and play a preventive treatment role. For tetanus, it is usual to administer a tetanus shot, and most people can choose between tetanus antitoxin or tetanus immunoglobulin. The duration of these two drugs is not the same; tetanus antitoxin lasts about three days, while tetanus immunoglobulin can last up to three weeks. However, this is not an absolute conclusion. Beyond this time, if there are high-risk factors for reinfection, a repeat injection is needed. If a patient has previously been protected by an active immunization regimen, in most cases, no special preventive treatment is needed within three years of the last vaccination.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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When to get a tetanus shot

A tetanus shot is generally recommended to be administered immediately after an injury for the best efficacy. If given within 12 or 24 hours, it still provides certain preventive effects. The tetanus shot mainly consists of tetanus antitoxin and represents passive immunization. It is usually advised in cases of deep wounds with small surface areas that can create anaerobic conditions inside. If tetanus bacillus is present in the wound and proliferates massively under anaerobic conditions, the patient may exhibit symptoms such as opisthotonos, asphyxiation, or even death. Therefore, it is necessary to administer tetanus antitoxin for prevention.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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How long does a tetanus shot last?

After receiving a tetanus shot, it generally lasts for about six months. However, if you are injured again after six months and the wound is heavily contaminated, such as with contaminated soil or rust, and the wound is large and deep, it is advised to undergo tetanus treatment again. The purpose of the tetanus shot is to prevent infection by Clostridium tetani, which is an anaerobic bacterium. It tends to proliferate in anaerobic environments and in conditions of heavy contamination by rust and soil. Therefore, if after tetanus treatment the injury is relatively minor, shallow, and comparatively clean, it is sufficient to clean and dress the wound and keep it dry. If the wound is heavily contaminated, large, and deep, it is recommended to administer the tetanus shot again.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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Can a festering wound lead to tetanus?

Wound suppuration and contracting tetanus are two different concepts. Wound suppuration primarily occurs when there is an infection at the wound site, which spreads due to lack of significant control over the infection focus. We need to actively locate the infection source, perform thorough surgical debridement and drainage, use sensitive antibiotics as needed globally, and change dressings in a timely manner to manage the infection. Tetanus, on the other hand, is typically considered when the wound is too deep and visibly contaminated, often by rusty, sharp objects causing the infection. In such cases, thorough surgical cleansing of the wound is essential to prevent surface contamination, along with the systemic use of tetanus antitoxin to reduce or prevent a tetanus infection.