Adult reaction to DT?

[goodheartedmama]

DH scraped his hand on something at work (works in a factory), so they told him he had to have the tetanus shot, and he just did it :. Anyway, they didn't give him a booster, they gave him the actual DT vaccine. This was last Tuesday. He had a fever for a couple of days. The biggest concern is that his arm is still extremely swollen, 6 days later, and he's in a lot of pain from it. He's got red welts surrounding the injection site. Anyone have any idea of what's going on?

[Fyrestorm]

Typical reaction

It should start getting better in a week or two...keep in mind that reactions get worse over time. I would not allow another one of those...ever!

[xbabymamax]

I'm against vaccines as much as the next guy, but I am wondering what should you do if you do get exposed to tetanus in stead of the vaccine?

[Emmeline II]

Looks like a reaction to the Tetanus. Make sure you keep a detail journal of his reaction from day one; you may need it later.

This is a disheartening but possibly useful article if the reaction continues (it is about a slow onset reaction, not quite the same)...

http://www.*********/a/tet2.html
The woman in Arizona suggested that I get a Tetanus Toxoid IgG test, so I
requested one from my doctor. Her results were elevated at over 7.0; mine
showed a level at 6.26. My physician, however, was unable to explain to me
what the results actually meant other than I had a reaction to the shot.
It is my understanding that after two weeks our levels should have been
closer to 1.0 rather than at these high levels after a month or two.

.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by WannaBeAMamaMia

I'm against vaccines as much as the next guy, but I am wondering what should you do if you do get exposed to tetanus in stead of the vaccine?

Be "exposed" to Tetanus is not like being "exposed" to the Flu. Tetanus is present everywhere, but the conditions that allow it to proliferate are not usually present; an average of 42 people a year contract tetanus, the majority of which are over 50.

The treatment for Tetanus is sedation, paralysis with certain medications, and mechanical ventilation (i.e., respirator) may be necessary to control the spasms. Antimicrobial drugs, such as penicillin, are used to eradicate the bacteria.

[kiara7]

There is tetanus immunoglobulin (sp?). If there is a real tetanus concern that would be the preferred way of dealing with it, because DT or T vax does not create antibodies for another week or two, so pretty much useless if there is a REAL tetanus threat from a deep puncture wound, etc.

[Scattershoot]

Anyone have any idea of what's going on?

He's having a strong immune response to the toxins that entered his body. The white blood cells are working overtime. Hopefully this phase will just pass, but unfortunately this strong response does not bode well for any future shots. These toxic loads build on one another. I agree with the other poster who said keep a journal. Detail it all.

Why they continue to give the DT shot AFTER the injury I'll never know. I too had a bad reaction to the DT shot. It was a nightmare.

[prettypixels]

Personally, I'd talk to a doctor. I had the DT several years ago with no reaction, so I don't know how "typical" this is. No harm in having it checked out, anyways, and if it is a reaction they can report it.

[momofmine]

I would have a doctor see it just to document this reaction. It sounds like a pretty significant reaction to me, still swollen after 6 days, welts, etc. I would not ever get that shot again.