What are the consequences of not getting a tetanus shot?

How can a person be without wounds? Scratches, abrasions, burns... there will always be one or even several wounds that will "embrace" you without you noticing. So if you are infected with tetanus, do you need to get a shot?

What are the consequences of not getting a tetanus shot?

Tetanus is an anaerobic bacterial infection that can be fatal if tetanus antitoxin is not given.

What is tetanus?

Tetanus refers to a specific infection in which Clostridium tetani invades the human body through skin or mucous membrane wounds, grows and multiplies in an oxygen-deficient environment, produces toxins and causes paroxysmal muscle spasms. The incubation period of tetanus is usually 7-8 days, but it can be as short as 24 hours or as long as several months or years. About 90% of patients develop the disease two weeks after injury.

The typical symptoms of tetanus are paroxysmal severe spasms on the basis of tonic muscle contraction, such as clenched teeth, spasmodic "bitter smile" at the corners of the mouth, etc. In severe cases, fractures, urinary retention and respiratory arrest may occur. It may be complicated by lung infection, acidosis, suffocation and shock. If not treated promptly, the mortality rate is around 10% -40%.

Factors to consider when giving a tetanus shot:

Since tetani bacteria are anaerobic and conditionally pathogenic, they are easy to grow and reproduce only when there is no itching or when the wound is deep and accompanied by aerobic infection. For general superficial wounds, such as abrasions, there is no need for a tetanus shot. Specifically, we can look at the following aspects:

1. The wound is deep. Deep wounds, especially puncture wounds such as those caused by needles, thorns, or knives, may result in wounds that are small on the outside but deep on the inside. If not cleaned properly, they may be infected with tetanus bacteria. A tetanus shot is best.

2. Rusty ironware. There are more tetanus bacteria on rusty iron objects. If you are injured by rusty iron objects, such as nails, kitchen knives, and iron rods, although the wound is shallow and the chance of infection is small, it is still possible. It is recommended to get a tetanus shot just in case.

3. Covered with dirt and mud. Tetanus bacteria are distributed in nature in the form of spores, especially in the soil. Therefore, when the wound is stained with dirt or dust, in addition to timely cleaning, a tetanus shot should be given.

4. Human and animal feces. Tetanus bacteria and spores are still present in the intestines of humans and livestock. Therefore, tetanus injections are required for wounds stained with feces or during anorectal surgery, such as perianal abscesses and hemorrhoid surgery.