Can I eat tomatoes after a tetanus shot?

Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
Updated on February 20, 2025
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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 Ai Bing Quan
General Surgery
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Is tetanus painful?

Tetanus is a specific infectious disease in surgery, caused by the exotoxin of Clostridium tetani. Tetanus infection can lead to rigid muscle spasms, which is a disease with a high mortality rate. Although its treatment is difficult, the prevention is effective, so tetanus infections can be avoided by vaccinating with the tetanus vaccine. The tetanus shot includes human tetanus immunoglobulin and tetanus antitoxin serum. The injection of human tetanus immunoglobulin is administered via muscle and is not very painful, generally tolerable. The injection of tetanus antitoxin serum, being a foreign protein to the body, requires an initial sensitivity test. The pain is evident, as the sensitivity test involves a skin prick.

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Written by Ai Bing Quan
General Surgery
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Can you drink alcohol with tetanus?

After receiving a tetanus vaccine, it is not recommended to drink alcohol. It is best to avoid spicy, stimulating, and greasy foods. Usually, when patients are injured, they may need to receive a tetanus vaccine. Especially when injured by rusty metal, the tetanus vaccine can effectively prevent tetanus. However, drinking alcohol at the same time as receiving the tetanus vaccine can easily lead to a drug reaction, causing adverse reactions. For example, increased heart rate, dizziness, palpitations, vomiting, and even shock, which can be life-threatening in severe cases. Furthermore, drinking alcohol is also detrimental to the healing of wounds. Depending on the recovery of the body, patients can generally drink a small amount of alcohol after a week.

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

Tetanus shots can be administered at the emergency department of a regular public hospital. Tetanus toxoid requires a skin test, and if the result is positive indicating an allergy, it cannot be administered; tetanus immunoglobulin does not require a skin test and can be used directly. Alcohol consumption should be avoided before receiving a tetanus shot, as it can affect the results of the skin test, leading to inaccurate indications for the tetanus injection, and impacting its effectiveness. Tetanus shots can be administered at the emergency department of a public hospital.

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Written by Gao Jun
Emergency Surgery
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Can tetanus be cured?

Tetanus has a high mortality rate from infection, but it is not incurable. Even in primitive tribes in Africa, as long as the patient can survive the initial complications such as respiratory muscle spasms leading to suffocation, heart failure, lung infections, etc., they may be lucky to survive. However, in our daily lives today, if we accidentally sustain skin injuries or abrasions, we must not take them lightly and should head to the hospital to follow the doctor's advice. If a tetanus antitoxin injection is needed, it must be administered. Do not neglect it due to inconvenience, as it may lead to severe consequences. The initial symptoms of tetanus might include general weakness, muscle soreness, and spasms of the chewing muscles, which can later lead to severe muscle contractions and forceful spasms throughout the body. The patient remains fully conscious and can painfully experience the disease. Most patients may die from complications such as respiratory muscle spasms, suffocation, heart failure, and lung infections.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
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How much is the tetanus serum?

When there is a potential risk of tetanus infection in our wounds, we should promptly receive a tetanus shot. The tetanus treatments commonly used today include tetanus antitoxin and tetanus immunoglobulin, also known as tetanus serum. Generally, the price of tetanus antitoxin is about seven to eight yuan each. Tetanus serum can be divided into two types: human tetanus immunoglobulin and horse tetanus immunoglobulin. The price of human tetanus immunoglobulin is slightly over 80 yuan, while horse tetanus immunoglobulin costs slightly over 30 yuan. Horse tetanus immunoglobulin requires a skin test before it can be administered.