Is a Tetanus shot effective after being wounded? How long?

[Austyn12090]

My two-year-old brother stepped on a rusted staple yesterday, and he hasn't had the Tetanus shot yet. However, once there, we discovered that the local hospital didn't have the vaccination on hand, and they said we would need to see our family doctor. At first, the ER doctor said it would be fine to wait 24 hours. Then, when we mentioned the hospital was closed today, he said it would be okay for 48 hours. Assuming he was infected with the virus already, how long can he go without the vaccination? Or does vaccination even prevent the virus if the body is already infected?

[jemma116]

The DTaP or DT tetanus vaccine is given to a child at two months of age, then four months, six months and when the child is 1 1/2. It is followed by a booster shot between the ages of 4 and 6. The TD or TDaP vaccine is given at the age of 11 to 12, followed by a vaccine every 10 years to keep the person totally immunized.

It is highly likely that your brother had the shots when he as a few months of age with his other baby routine mmunisations.

As he is 2 now he will need his booster.   It is very likely that he will be fine because I have no doubt that he did have his baby vaccinations that you may not know about.  

But do make sure that he gets his vaccine as a matter of urgency as he missed the vaccine when he was 1 1/2.   He is actually a few months overdue for his shot.

Best wishes.

[caregiver222]

The physician who said "it would be O.K. for 48 hours" should have his license to practice medicine suspended. He should have gotten off his butt and located a source. It reminds me that these days they give out medical degrees with boxtops in some jurisdictions. If in fact there has been an infection with clostridium tetani this policy is not in accordance with 2014 medical guidelines. On the other hand, a puncture wound does not necessarily mean there is an infection. The vaccines are actually available in two varieties, and it is incomprehensible to me that a source could not be located in every city in the United States in between ten and fifteen minutes.

[flipper336]

Tetanus or what most people call lock jaw is actually very rare in the US. But a person can still get it and the muscle spasms and contractions would not be pleasant to say the least.

The bacteria effects the nervous system and there is no cure. All the doctors can do is manage the symptoms until the toxins run there course. A person can even get Tetanus by scratching themselves while working in the garden.

But with that being said he still needs to get a Tetanus shot as soon as possible.

[SassyLassie]

I think that waiting for the shot is like closing the door after the horse is out. Please get him to a doctor as soon as possible.

[Kermit the Hermit]

get him to doc unless you want lock jaw