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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Bruise In Hand. Used Antibacterial Ointment, Bandage. Get A Tetanus Shot?

My name is Brenda and on Monday I cut my hand on a piece of glass, it was kind of deep but I washed it with soap and water and my husband put anti bacterial ointment and a bandage on it. It's healing very quickly but a friend asked if I was up to date on my tetanus but I don't know. I'm getting nervous and was wondering how I would know if I have tetanus or not !!?
Tue, 10 Sep 2013
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Critical Care Specialist 's  Response
Hi thanks for your question.
Complete primary vaccination with tetnus toxoid (TT) provides long lasting protection for 10 years. If you have received three doses of TT any time during previous ten years you don’t have to take a dose of TT.If you have completed a full term pregnancy any time during last ten years, you must have received a complete course of TT so there is no need to repeat. Patient with unknown or uncertain previous immunization histories are considered to have no previous TT ,so I f you have not completed your full term pregnancy any time during the last 10 years or you don’t remember when you have taken last dose of TT you are considered as unprotected and must receive a dose of TT,along with antiseptic dressing and prophylactic antibiotics.
Hope this answers your question.
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Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Roopa Hiremath's  Response
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for your query on HCM.
You have mentioned that the cut was deep and the accident occurred almost a week ago.
Appropriate care should be taken in the first 24 hours in case of an open wound.
I appreciate the fact that you have cleaned the wound and bandaged it.
Coming to Tetanus, it is a disease caused by Clostridium tetani which gains entry into the body through open wounds. This bacteria releases a toxin called as tetanospasmin which acts on the nerves supplied to the muscles and causes severe spasms.
First symptom of tetanus is trismus which is nothing but lockjaw where the patient has difficulty in chewing, swallowing and gnashing of teeth.
You do not have to worry much as your wound is healing. But I suggest you get in touch with your GP for a tetanus shot as soon as possible.
Thanks.
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Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Akhilesh Dubey's  Response
Hi Brinda,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic,

You got cut by glass usually such cut wounds are not likely to get tetanus. good cleaning of wound and applying antiseptic would heal the cut just like a surgical cut. Tetanus is more often is in contaminated wound like traffic accident.

Tetanus immunity gradually decline if you have not received in last 5 year a Tetvac booster dose can be taken as preventive measure.

Please see a physician and if required oral antibiotics may be given to prevent any infection.

Hope this helps.
Take care.
Good Luck.
Dr.Akhilesh Dubey M.D.

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Bruise In Hand. Used Antibacterial Ointment, Bandage. Get A Tetanus Shot?

Hi thanks for your question. Complete primary vaccination with tetnus toxoid (TT) provides long lasting protection for 10 years. If you have received three doses of TT any time during previous ten years you don’t have to take a dose of TT.If you have completed a full term pregnancy any time during last ten years, you must have received a complete course of TT so there is no need to repeat. Patient with unknown or uncertain previous immunization histories are considered to have no previous TT ,so I f you have not completed your full term pregnancy any time during the last 10 years or you don’t remember when you have taken last dose of TT you are considered as unprotected and must receive a dose of TT,along with antiseptic dressing and prophylactic antibiotics. Hope this answers your question.