When is the best time to get a tetanus shot?
Tetanus infection carries a certain mortality rate, with current statistics indicating that the death rate from tetanus infection can reach around 40%. Typically, tetanus is caused by an acute, specific infection resulting from the growth and reproduction of Clostridium tetani in human wounds, which produce toxins. Generally, it can only grow and reproduce in an anoxic environment, so it is most commonly found in soil, human and animal feces, and rust. For wounds, especially sharp and deep cuts, it is usually vital to administer a tetanus shot promptly. The choices generally are tetanus immunoglobulin or tetanus antitoxin, which have different half-lives; tetanus antitoxin generally lasts about three days, whereas tetanus immunoglobulin can last up to three weeks. Therefore, in the presence of high-risk infection factors, it is advisable to administer the injection as soon as possible, generally recommended within 24 hours.
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