Can tetanus be fatal?

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on September 28, 2024
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Firstly, severe tetanus, if not treated in time, can be fatal. When infected with tetanus, the early symptoms mainly include dizziness, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, weak chewing, soreness or cramping of the jaw muscles, or muscle tension. Of course, when tetanus is severe, it can manifest as difficulty opening the mouth, risus sardonicus, opisthotonos, and stiff neck. In severe cases, there may be difficulty breathing, respiratory arrest, and even cardiac arrest. If in this situation, we do not promptly carry out emergency treatment, the tetanus patient can die.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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Can I eat tomatoes after a tetanus shot?

You can eat tomatoes after receiving a tetanus shot. There are two types of tetanus injections: tetanus toxoid, which requires a skin test, and tetanus immunoglobulin, which does not require a skin test. If you are to receive the tetanus toxoid, it is essential to perform a skin test beforehand. If an allergy is present, its use is prohibited. Furthermore, it is advised to abstain from alcohol before getting a tetanus shot to avoid any skin redness caused by drinking, which can affect the outcome of the skin test, leading to a failure in the indication for the tetanus injection. There are no contraindications regarding eating tomatoes after a tetanus shot. It is generally recommended to get the tetanus shot within 24 hours after injury.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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When to get a tetanus shot?

Tetanus is caused by the invasion of the body by tetanus bacillus, a type of anaerobic bacterium that generally thrives in anoxic environments or heavily contaminated wounds such as those exposed to polluted soil or rust. Therefore, if the wound is deep, is in an anoxic environment, or is severely contaminated with soil, rust, or is an open fracture with expanded area, explosive injury, gunshot wound, or animal bite, tetanus treatment is required. Tetanus injections include tetanus toxoid, which requires a skin test, and tetanus immunoglobulin, which does not require a skin test, with an injection generally recommended within 24 hours.

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Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
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Tetanus needle skin test allergic symptoms

For tetanus shot skin allergy symptoms, they generally include redness, swelling, and itching of the skin. Severe cases can cause an increase in body temperature. Therefore, if an allergy occurs, caution is needed, and desensitization treatment may be necessary. It's important to rest normally. Tetanus vaccine is mainly a medication used to prevent tetanus infection. Thus, after an injury, it is necessary to get the shot. Also, take care to rest, avoid spicy and stimulating foods as well as those high in hormone levels, adjust your mindset, change dressings regularly, and have regular check-ups.

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Written by Gao Jun
Emergency Surgery
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What should I do if the tetanus test is positive?

A positive tetanus result generally refers to a positive result in the tetanus antitoxin skin test. Tetanus antitoxin is primarily used to prevent tetanus infections. Some patients may experience allergic reactions to tetanus, manifesting as localized swelling, mild fever, and general discomfort during the skin test. In such cases, a desensitization injection method can be chosen, which involves administering the tetanus shot in several doses at intervals. Alternatively, tetanus immunoglobulin can be used, which is more expensive on the market but has the advantage of not requiring a skin test. It can be administered directly, safely, and effectively.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How long does a tetanus shot last?

Regarding how long a tetanus shot lasts, it depends on which type has been administered. Generally, there are two types of tetanus injections: tetanus immunoglobulin and tetanus antitoxin. Typically, doctors perform a skin test before administering the tetanus antitoxin; if the patient has a positive skin test and cannot tolerate desensitization treatment, tetanus immunoglobulin can be administered instead. These two medications have different metabolic times and their preventive effects vary. The metabolic time for tetanus antitoxin is generally one week, whereas for tetanus immunoglobulin, it can last about 28 days. Therefore, how long a tetanus shot lasts depends on the specific circumstances of the patient’s injection.