Do you need a tetanus shot if the wound isn't infected?!
Question:
Do you need a tetanus shot if the wound isn't infected?
Additional Details
3 weeks ago
To clarify, I'm not really sure what I stepped on, it may have even been "splinter " like and that small. It had a tiny drop of blood, but didn't continue to bleed.I haven't had a tetanus in a while, but really hate putting vaccine's in my body if I don't have to. Any advise?
Answers:
You need a tetanus shot with any wound if your last tetanus was more than 9 to 10 years ago. The disease that tetanus causes is not "an infection" in that the wound looks infected, but a toxin that works on the central nervous system etc. to cause a type of paralysis (lock jaw) in which you can no longer breathe. The spores of the tetanus bacteria are found in soil and all over which is why your immunization status needs to be up to date. Very few people survive a tetanus episode.