Tetanus Injections

MrSornia

I got a mild second degree burn on my hand on monday night, the next day was at outward bound with the jobcentre. lots of dirt etc got in there, and since then it's had red lines up my arm. I got some antibiotics before but forgot to see whether I should get a tetanus-is this injection given in school and will I need to ring them back up to get one?

A lot of people are given tetanus injections at school, but that's no guarantee that you were given one. The antibiotics you mention, were these prescribed by your doctor for this current problem, or something else? You haven't explained it very well. Did you have the red lines when you went to see your doctor, or have they developed since?

If they've developed since then you should phone NHS direct and ask them about it. I don't want to scare you, but red lines going up your arm from an infected burn sounds quite serious.

Reply 2

OP

Ah, sorry for misinformation.
The red lines came on yesterday night, but have since gotten noticably better after I kept the wound entirely dry and not knocked. I got the antibis today for this problem, I seem to remember being given DTP from filling out my uni medical history :biggrin:

My father was telling me that as a butcher he had red lines all the time; since they're less severe now all I'm wondering is will I need another tet. :smile:

Reply 3

Jimmocrates

10

If it was tetanus, you'd probably be dead by now.

DTP is for diptheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). The good news is you're going to live! (for now ;-)

Reply 4

OP

What do you mean for now....don't say that stuff.

I read somewhere just before that it takes 7-10 days to incubate though; it's only been 3 since I got the wound infected.

Reply 5

MrSornia

all I'm wondering is will I need another tet. :smile:

Well this is the advice on the NHS Direct website:

The full five doses are considered to give lifelong immunity. Booster doses should also be given in the following circumstances:·

Following a wound which may give rise to tetanus where the person has not had the full five doses or where this information is not known. However, if the wound is contaminated, a dose of tetanus antibodies (known as human tetanus immunoglobulin) should be given.·

Take from that what you will.

Btw, when it talks about the full five doses, this seems to mean 3 when you were little, probably combined together in the DTP, plus 2 at school. If you don't know if you've had these then you probably need to get a booster and/or you might need the antibodies thing it mentions.

Reply 6

OP

Cool. I suppose I should go back and check since that way it prevents death :biggrin:

Thanks for the help.

Reply 7

Juno

20

Jimmocrates

If it was tetanus, you'd probably be dead by now.

DTP is for diptheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). The good news is you're going to live! (for now ;-)

No, it's tetanus, diptheria and polio

Reply 8

holymoly91

4

My mate had to have a tetanes injection becausea maniac depressive bit her.Now is that randim or wat?.Its true as well so heres a lesson dnt upset the maniac depressives. :bootyshak :security:

Reply 9

Juno

No, it's tetanus, diptheria and polio

Quote from NHS Direct about prevention of diphtheria:

Immunisation with diphtheria toxoid, combined with tetanus toxoid and pertussis (whooping cough) toxoid (DTP vaccine), should be given to all children at two, three and four months of age. Booster doses are given between the ages of 3 and 5 and again between 16 and 18 years

just get one

Anonymous

just get one

That is anonymous why exactly?

Reply 12

Jimmocrates

10

Juno

No, it's tetanus, diptheria and polio

Just done all this stuff to death in microbial disease and immunisation lectures, so there (I'm a fourth year pharmacy student)

Current regs in the UK are that the initial ful course is seen as providing adequate protection, but if a person is considered at risk. eg standing on a rusty nail they get a booster.
If they do something again which puts them at risk, no further action is taken regarding tetanus as 1 booster in a persons lifetime is currently seen as more than adequate.

Reply 13

Actually I've got an interesting question about all of this tetanus business. You mention that people should get a booster if they stand on a rusty nail, but the thing is I have numerous times in the past hurt myself on like nails and barbed wire and stuff, and have never considered rushing to hospital or anything. I mean, it's just not something people ever seem to actually do, even if they are meant to.

So are millions of people risking their lives by not getting tetanus shots everytime they catch their arm on a nail or something, or do you only really need to get one if like the nail goes right through your hand or something?

Reply 14

Jimmocrates

10

Nah, apparantly you get a tetanus injection at 2,3 and 4 months old. Then again somewhere between 3-5yrs and another booster in your teenage years. Thats sufficient, but they may then choose to give 1 extra booster if you're at risk, its not really needed though.

Reply 15

Leigh

15

holymoly91

My mate had to have a tetanes injection becausea maniac depressive bit her.Now is that randim or wat?.Its true as well so heres a lesson dnt upset the maniac depressives.

Did they tell her it was because she was a manic depressive or is that just a side note? A rabid dog or vampire I can understand, but someone a little down...??

Reply 16