Which department do I go to for a tetanus shot?

Written by Liu Huan Huan

General Surgery

Updated on January 12, 2025

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Tetanus shots are widely used clinically, and patients generally receive the injection after sustaining an injury. Therefore, it is recommended that patients visit the surgical department. If at a community hospital, they should go to the surgical outpatient clinic. If in a secondary or tertiary hospital, patients can go to the surgical outpatient clinic or the emergency surgery department for treatment. After wound treatment, they can receive a tetanus shot as required. Thus, patients usually go to the surgical department or emergency surgery for the tetanus injection.

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Written by Li Chang Yue

General Surgery

46sec

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Does tetanus infect others?

Tetanus occurs when wounds are contaminated by Clostridium tetani, which then proliferates and grows within the human body, ultimately causing tetanus. Generally, tetanus is not transmitted from person to person; it usually occurs when bacteria invade the body through external injuries or wounds. Additionally, newborns may contract tetanus through the birth canal during delivery. Therefore, for deep or large wounds, especially in heavily contaminated conditions, it is crucial to clean and possibly stitch the wounds promptly. If necessary, tetanus immune globulin injections and vaccinations against these bacteria can be administered to thoroughly prevent the occurrence of tetanus.

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Written by Gao Tian

General Surgery

41sec

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Where can you get a tetanus shot?

General hospitals or surgical clinics are suitable; first and foremost, tetanus vaccines are for the prevention of tetanus, especially for deep wounds. Therefore, once an injury occurs, it is advised to visit a surgical clinic promptly to complete relevant examinations and undergo wound cleaning and disinfection. If necessary, oral antibiotics such as cephalosporins should be taken. Additionally, a tetanus vaccine must be administered within 24 hours to prevent tetanus. Afterwards, rest and proper diet are important; avoid spicy and irritating foods, consume high-protein foods, and ensure regular follow-up examinations.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

49sec

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What should I do if I drink alcohol with tetanus?

If there are high risk factors for tetanus infection after an injury, and alcohol has been consumed, it is generally advisable to wait until sobriety before conducting relevant skin tests. Currently, there is no clear research on the relationship between alcohol consumption and an allergy to tetanus antitoxin. It is not very clear whether alcohol impacts the results of a skin test, so it is safer to perform the test after sobering up. Since the consequences of a tetanus infection can be severe, and the tetanus injection itself carries a certain risk of anaphylactic shock, which can lead to multiple organ problems and even be life-threatening, it is generally safer to conduct the skin test after sobering up and then proceed with the timely injection treatment. If the skin test is positive, tetanus immunoglobulin should be chosen promptly.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

1min 4sec

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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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Written by Li Jin Quan

General Surgery

35sec

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Tetanus nursing measures

Tetanus Patient Care: First, isolate the patient and maintain a quiet environment to minimize disturbances. Second, communicate carefully with the patient to alleviate their anxiety and boost their confidence in overcoming the illness. Third, install bed rails on both sides of the bed to prevent the patient from falling out. Additionally, use a mouth guard to prevent tongue injuries during spasms. Fourth, pay attention to the care of the patient's oral cavity and skin to prevent the development of oral ulcers, skin breakdown, or pressure sores.