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How long does the tetanus injection work? Should I have a tetanus injection after any accident or injury? Is it enough to wash and disinfect the wound after the tetanus injection? What are the side effects of frequent tetanus injections? The question is answered by the drug. Katarzyna Darecka.
How long will an anti-tetanus injection protect me from getting sick?
Hello, I received it about six months ago anti-tetanus injectionbecause I cut myself with a rusty nail. I didn’t want to risk it, so I went to the clinic right away and got a tetanus injection. Yesterday I had an accident again and cut my leg with contaminated metal. I don’t know if I should go to the clinic again and have a tetanus injection? How long does an anti-tetanus injection work? Can I wash the wound calmly and not worry that I will get tetanus from this cut, since I had a tetanus injection six months ago?
I do not think that such frequent vaccination is healthy, but if necessary, I will of course get vaccinated, although I must admit that I would prefer to avoid it. Are there any side effects if I get the tetanus shot again – another one in such a short time? However, I hope that the tetanus injection that I took recently still works and that I will not need another vaccination. I am asking for information, because I am struggling with my thoughts and I do not know what to do.
The doctor explains how the tetanus injection works
Tetanus prophylaxis is implemented in people depending on the history of primary, booster vaccinations or the last dose administered and on risk of getting tetanus.
We divide the risk of developing tetanus into low or high. The small one concerns fresh, slightly contaminated wounds that do not contain dead tissue. Wounds that are heavily contaminated or contain crushed, dead tissue, which are prepared by a surgeon 24 hours after an injury, are at high risk. High-risk wounds also include stab wounds, crush wounds and gunshot wounds.
If the primary or booster vaccination has been administered and the last dose was given less than five years ago, then tetanus immunoprophylaxis is unnecessary in a low-risk wound (explained above). In the case of a wound with a high risk of tetanus, immunoprophylaxis is also unnecessary or to be considered by a physician in case of a particularly high risk of infection.
Despite the fact that there are no specific indications to be administered anti-tetanus vaccination it is worth going to the Night Care for Patients so that the doctor can inspect the wound, examine it, find out if there is inflammation. Perhaps the wound requires surgical preparation, irrigation with saline, and an antibiotic order if a bacterial infection of the wound is suspected. In addition, the doctor or nurse will be able to apply a dressing, which should help the wound heal faster.
If the patient was unvaccinated at that time or incompletely vaccinated or has no documentation, depending on the risk of developing tetanus, he is vaccinated with the Td vaccine and the vaccination is continued. In case of high risk, in addition to the above-mentioned procedure, a specific antitoxin (immunoglonbulin) should also be administered in a dose of 250 or 500 IU. Under the term basic tetanus vaccination, the concept of three doses of the vaccine according to the 0 – 1 – 6 months schedule is meant.
– Lek. Katarzyna Darecka
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