Tetanus injection time

In recent years, there have been more and more deaths caused by tetanus bacteria, so tetanus shots have also received more attention. A tetanus shot is necessary after being bitten by an animal or stabbed by iron products. Otherwise, if you are infected with tetanus bacteria, it will have a great impact on your body. However, the tetanus shot will only be effective within a certain injection time. The following will introduce the injection time of the tetanus shot to friends.

When should the tetanus shot be given?

Tetanus is an infectious disease, specifically caused by infection with the bacterium Clostridium tetani. The incubation period of tetanus ranges from 3 to 21 days, with an average of 8 days.

Even if the wound is small, a tetanus shot is still needed. The wound should be treated promptly and cleaned and disinfected with soapy water or, if possible, hydrogen peroxide. Do not give tetanus toxin a chance to take effect. After cleaning the wound, do not bandage it too tightly to prevent the wound from closing and provide space for the tetanus virus to multiply. If you encounter a large wound, please bandage it quickly and seek medical attention.

Tetanus shots should generally be given within one day, but if you delay it beyond one day, the shot will still be effective, albeit with slightly weaker efficacy. If the wound is very large, deep and severe, we can give you another injection a week later to consolidate the effect.

Three major misunderstandings about tetanus shots

Myth 1: Tetanus antitoxin or immunoglobulin should always be used after trauma

Anyone who has received a full course of tetanus toxoid vaccine does not need to be injected with tetanus antitoxin or receive tetanus toxoid vaccine if they suffer an injury 5 to 10 years after the last shot.

If it has been more than 5 to 10 years, a booster injection of tetanus toxoid vaccine can be given after the injury, but tetanus antitoxin or tetanus immunoglobulin is not necessary.

Myth 2: Tetanus antitoxin or immunoglobulin is only effective within 24 hours after the injury

The incubation period of tetanus infection is usually 1 to 2 weeks. According to its pathogenesis, tetanus antitoxin can play a preventive role if applied within 24 hours after injury or even later. Clinically, emphasis should be placed on early application, but as long as the disease has not yet occurred and it is used within two weeks, it should be considered to have a preventive effect.

Myth 3: Passive immunization will prevent tetanus

The antibodies brought to the body by passive immunization can only last for 2 to 3 weeks, after which the antibody levels drop and the body is no longer protected. Therefore, a single dose of tetanus antitoxin or immunoglobulin does not provide lasting immunity. Lasting immunity depends on the active immunity produced in the body by the tetanus toxoid vaccine.