Stood on rusty thumb tack - would you get a tetanus injection?

If it has been more than 4–5 years since you had a tetanus shot, then – yes, you should.

Why take the risk of tetanus?

well the side effects of the tetanus booster sound intense and the likelihood of it having tetanus on the tack are probably smaller than the likelihood of the side effects! Plus my body doesn’t do well with vaccines!

The guideline in America is if it has been more than 5 years the doctor will give you a tetanus booster if you show up at his door after being cut.

Since it’s been so long since your last shot you might as well do it. You’re due for a booster anyway, you will worry about it anyway, because you worry about medical things, so just go get one.

By the way rust has nothing to do with tetanus, that’s an old wives tale. Puncture wounds outside are the true risk factor. It can be a “clean” piece of metal or splinter that was in the ground. Tetanus thrives in anaerobic conditions, so puncture wounds create a situation where the bacteria can be deep below the skin and not exposed to air.

You likely will not have side effects from the booster, and if you do they will likely be very mild.

@tan253 – I have had several booster, most recently last fall. It’s a slight ache in your arm for a half day, and no other side effects.

Only you can make the choice, but tetanus is one of the most helpful, least dangerous shots around.

But Tetanus boosters are not only Tetanus – here in NZ its’ pertussis and diphtheria as well… those vaccines are hard on the system! OMG… someone change brains with me. It was the kind of wound where NO one would think of Tetanus… they would have just carried on – there wasn’t even any bleeding it was minimal.

Heck, yes.

Did it break the skin?

I wouldn’t bother with the shot, but, again, that is most likely not what a doctor would do or prescribe if you go to see a doctor. You are due for a tetanus shot if it’s been 20+ years, which I think is what you are saying.

Are you sure in NZ you can’t get a straight tetanus shot? In America we have it both ways, tetanus only, and tetanus combined with pertussis.

Yeah it’s been around 26 years ;) I’ve got two friends who are Dr’s and they have said the risk is truly minimal and told me not to bother but to get one as a precaution moving forward. Problem is is that If I get one now I’ll be a mess for 2 weeks waiting for serious reactions, my fear is not knowing what to expect, but with tetanus at least I know.

Here is what I know Tetanus; can be FATAL. Mileage may vary but DEAD is dead.

Why why bother to ask the question @tan253 , it sounds like your mind is made up already.

Went to Dr, and she said there is no need to get a booster, it didn’t penetrate and the wound site is tiny, she said just got get a shot when I’m 45 as it’s free.
And yes you’re right, I had made up my mind but felt guilty about it so wanted to see if I could be talked in to it…. I really do’nt like having healthy anxiety guys….. maybe I should be asking – ‘how do I get rid of healthy anxiety’

What I’ve read is that if you do get a puncture that penetrates your skin, squeeze it until it bleeds, if you can do that without causing yourself undue pain.

That way, the blood flow will flush at least some of the bacteria from the wound. Also, I think that will facilitate its oxygenation.

If that happens, perhaps you could just contact your doctor about the puncture, and then she could tell you whether you should get a shot via whatever means of communication you use, instead of making an appointment, etc.

Look, the tetanus titer is considered to be very accurate. Next time you get blood tests get the titer done and then you dint have to wonder if you need the shot or not. I do it about every 5 years. I recently had my titer go way down, but still I have immunity, but since it’s down I might start checking more often.

Previously, when I knew my titer was high I refused a tetanus shot when I had a bad accident outside and if I had been unconscious they would have given it to me. Now, if the accident happened today I’d probably take the shot, since I know my immunity is weaning a little. My last shot was over 20 years ago, but that was a second shot as an adult, that shot caused me some problems (which previously I didn’t even get a sore arm) and it was given just 5 years after another tetanus booster, and was completely unnecessary.

Meanwhile, the tetanus booster is not likely to make you a mess for two weeks, and especially you’re not likely to get a reaction after 48 hours, your reaction would start by the next day and just be a little inconvenient if you have any reaction. You are going to all of a sudden a week after the shot get a bad reaction. The chance of a serious reaction is extremely low (remember my mom used to compile the reports for bad reactions for the government in America) and you can’t go by your daughter’s reaction as a child, because children have more difficult reactions statistically than adults.

My mom gets the titer done by the way.

“How do I get rid of healthy anxiety?”

Did you forget to get immunized for it? —(Just my crazy sense of humor here- don’t mind me!)—

@tan253 are you by chance a vegetarian?

Not vegetarian!

@tan253. Have you seen your doctor and specifically asked them what you can do about your anxiety? It seems, the way you’ve desribed it on this Q and others, that it is debilitating.

Most likely your doctor will refer you to some type of a therapist, psychologist, behavior specialist, or a psychiatrist. There are medications, and talk therapy, and relaxation techniques, and biofeedback, and other things such as exercise, and dietary changes, that can all help you deal with anxiety.

Don’t waste another minute of your life living like this. Call your doctor and make an appointment. Take a trusted friend or relative to go with you, to take notes, and to reassure you.

I’d stay away from benzodiazepines if given that as an option.

I agree with @Kardamom.

From your history of questions, your anxiety around medical issues seems debilitating. Please seek some counseling. There are no side effects to talking to a professional.

I wish you well.