How long does a tetanus shot last?

Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
Updated on February 16, 2025
00:00
00:00

About how long a tetanus shot lasts, it generally lasts from half a year to a year without any issues. So, if there is a wound, it is crucial to go to a surgical department for wound debridement and disinfection as soon as possible, especially after rinsing with hydrogen peroxide, keep the wound clean and dry. Secondly, change dressings. Generally, if it is not an infected wound, change the dressing every 1 to 2 days, and if infected, change the dressing daily. If necessary, take oral antibiotics to prevent infection. If you are not allergic to cephalosporins, it is usual to take some cephalosporin-based medications. Afterwards, be mindful of your diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods, and have regular check-ups.

(Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
1min 1sec home-news-image

How to use a tetanus shot

If the wound is deeply infected in an anaerobic environment, or heavily contaminated, such as with polluted soil, rust, or in cases of open fractures, tetanus prophylaxis treatment is required. Tetanus treatment includes tetanus toxoid, which requires a skin test, and tetanus immunoglobulin, which does not require a skin test. The injection is generally administered in the buttock or the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. It is generally recommended to administer the injection within 24 hours of injury for optimal effectiveness, and it is advised not to drink alcohol before receiving the injection. Since most hospitals use tetanus toxoid because it is economical and affordable, a skin test is necessary, and patients with a positive skin test should not use it, instead, they should use tetanus immunoglobulin that does not require a skin test. Do not drink alcohol before the injection to avoid skin flushing, which can affect the results of the skin test.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
47sec home-news-image

tetanus incidence rate

Tetanus is caused by the invasion of tetanus bacillus into the body through skin and mucous membranes. It generally grows faster in an anaerobic environment, causing specific changes in muscles, and in severe cases, can lead to body spasms and other issues. It usually invades nerves, leading to nerve damage. The incidence rate depends on the patient's health status. If the patient's immunity is low, the incidence rate can reach over 90%, and more than 90% of patients will show symptoms within two weeks of injury, potentially retaining some infectious issues. Therefore, timely handling of tetanus bacillus infections is necessary to achieve the best preventive effects. The incubation period for tetanus is usually about one week.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
39sec home-news-image

Does tetanus cause fever?

When a person is infected with tetanus, the early symptoms mainly include dizziness, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, weak chewing, sore jaw muscles, some muscle tension, or some hyperactive reflexes. As the condition worsens, typical clinical manifestations occur, such as difficulty opening the mouth, a sardonic smile, opisthotonos or neck stiffness, muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, and in severe cases, respiratory weakness or respiratory arrest. Some patients may develop a fever after being infected with tetanus. Therefore, some tetanus patients do show symptoms of fever.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
48sec home-news-image

The scientific name of a tetanus shot is called "tetanus toxoid vaccine."

Tetanus is a relatively common disease in daily life, and its prevention and treatment are very important because, in severe cases, it can even endanger a person's life safety. Commonly in clinical practice, tetanus injections are referred to as tetanus antitoxin. In such situations, the use of this prophylactic injection still plays a role, depending on the specific health condition and circumstances of the patient. If the wound is not superficial, it is generally after debridement that a tetanus shot can be administered based on the specific situation. Furthermore, tetanus shots usually need to be confirmed through methods like skin tests because some patients may have allergic reactions, which could significantly impact their health and pose a great risk.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
54sec home-news-image

Is there still a cure for tetanus attacks?

Tetanus is usually a specific infection caused by Clostridium tetani in the human body. In the early stages of tetanus, it mainly manifests as dizziness, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, weak chewing, some muscle soreness, or increased muscle reflexes. As the condition worsens, muscle spasms and rigidity may occur. During a tetanus attack, symptoms mainly include lockjaw, difficulty opening the mouth, a sardonic smile, stiffness in the neck, opisthotonus, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing, respiratory arrest, or cardiac arrest. When a tetanus attack occurs, it is imperative to go to the hospital for treatment timely. Through standard treatment and care, most cases of tetanus can be cured if there are no particularly severe complications.