I have to get a tetnus shot

[baileyann3]

My doc wants me to get one because I stepped on a nail. I'm nursing my ten mo old. Will it pass through? Is it safe to get while nursing?

Thoughts on tetnus?

[KimberlyD0]

First find out if you really need it. IE where was the nail you stepped on? Was it in a barn or somewhere where animal droppings were and did it bleed a lot. And have you have a tetnus shot before and how long ago (they're good for 5-10 years depends what sorce you look up)

Sometimes you wont need it.

I had one not even a month ago and I am BF my 10 month old. The nail I stepped on was in a durty barn (I was cleaning the barn) so a high risk factor for me.

As for risks there is no knowm side effects of the tentus while BF, but they also wont rule anything out. They just don't know.

As I said though first try to find out if you really need it. Find out all your other options. If you can avoid it all the better.

In the end do what feels right.

hth

[baileyann3]

It was outside my house, no barn but really old. It was sticking out of a piece of concrete? Wierd. It didn't go in far and only bled alittle. I cleaned it immediately.

We have cat and dogs have been here? Does the type of animal or is it just barn type animals?

[KimberlyD0]

Any kind of animal droppings, but barn animals tend to be higher risk.

I say go with your gut.. but thats me.. (and some research might help too if you have the time) There are so many factors to take into account.

[rlneub]

If you just stepped on the nail, what good will a tetanus shot do right now? It takes weeks to develop antibodies and it takes days to incubate the bacteria. Its similar to planning to throw water on a house fire after the fire occurred. The shot will do nothing for your current exposure and thus is just for the next time.

If there was truly a danger of tetanus they would recommend the immunoglobulin, so the post injury tetanus is really just for opportunistic vaxing.

[alegna]

If it bled, I wouldn't worry.

-Angela

[baileyann3]

Originally Posted by rlneub

If you just stepped on the nail, what good will a tetanus shot do right now? It takes weeks to develop antibodies and it takes days to incubate the bacteria. Its similar to planning to throw water on a house fire after the fire occurred. The shot will do nothing for your current exposure and thus is just for the next time.

If there was truly a danger of tetanus they would recommend the immunoglobulin, so the post injury tetanus is really just for opportunistic vaxing.

I would like to think they would give the immunoglobin although they didn't specify. I wouldn't get the regular vaccine. Sorry I didn't specify.

When I called them they scared me, telling me I needed to come in immediately and if I didn't they would (and did because I didn't go yet) put in my records that I refused treatment and went against their medical advise. But she couldn't answer my question and I couldn't talk to my doctor because he is out today. The nurse didn't know if it was safe while nursing and told me to call my ob? Who I haven't seen or talked to since 6 weeks pp.

[alegna]

If you decide to get it- research and make sure you get the mercury free form. Some adult tetanus vaxes still have full strength mercury in them.

-Angela

[alegna]

Originally Posted by baileyann3

I would like to think they would give the immunoglobin although they didn't specify. I wouldn't get the regular vaccine. Sorry I didn't specify.

If they didn't specify, they weren't offering TIG.

When was your last tetanus vax? If it was within 10 yrs then protocol is to boost, not use TIG

-Angela

[ema-adama]

From my understanding only TIG can protect you from the current wound - if the wound is assessed to be a serious enough risk. The vax is pushed at the same time to protect you from future tetanus risk. But it sounds like you want TIG anyway.
Did the wound bleed? Do you have Hydrogen peroxide for initial wound cleaning? Is it a deep wound?

[baileyann3]

I'm not sure when the last one was. I didn't go to college so it wasn't then. But I had a serious injury in high school so I have a call into the hospital that had me to see if they gave me one. But at far as out family doc goes, it's unknown. Is the protocol still the same?

The vaccine has the mercury or the TIG? Mercury goes into your milk right?

[baileyann3]

It did bleed, and I cleaned it immediately with hydrogen peroxide and let it breathe for at least three hours before covering it with my sock.

Today it's tender but seems to have closed.

No it was not deep. Like at most 1/4 of an inch

[alegna]

Originally Posted by baileyann3

I'm not sure when the last one was. I didn't go to college so it wasn't then. But I had a serious injury in high school so I have a call into the hospital that had me to see if they gave me one. But at far as out family doc goes, it's unknown. Is the protocol still the same?

The vaccine has the mercury or the TIG? Mercury goes into your milk right?

The vax has mercury. TIG doesn't.

Unless they told you they'd send you to ER to get it, they weren't offering TIG. In fact unless they SAID TIG or immune globulin, they weren't talking about TIG.

They won't have TIG in office.

-Angela

[ema-adama]

NURSING MOTHERS
It is not known whether DECAVAC vaccine is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution
should be exercised when DECAVAC vaccine is administered to a nursing woman.

From the package insert for dT

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by baileyann3

It did bleed, and I cleaned it immediately with hydrogen peroxide and let it breathe for at least three hours before covering it with my sock.

Today it's tender but seems to have closed.

No it was not deep. Like at most 1/4 of an inch

Based on how you've described the wound I wouldn't even get the TIG; not every poke trough the skin is a risk for Tetanus.

I pm'd you additional info.

[nigellas]

There was a study done showing that high levels of vitamin C actually cured tetanus.

[tmaue]

I agree with Emmeline II, based on your description of what happened and what you did after the wound, I would not get anything.

The doctor would only be putting the info in their records to protect themselves in the event that you did get tetanus and so you wouldn't sue them, not neccessarily to pressure you to get it. It is your choice, so when you say you have to get a tetanus shot, that is not true.

[baileyann3]

Thanks everyone for walking me through. I've decided to wait, to continue cleaning it, and at first sign of something wrong, like infection to go in. The risk seems so small of getting tetanus, you know? Although if I wasn't nursing I would probably do it, there are too many unknowns as far as my daughter. Thanks for all the great insight and wisdom, you ladies are great

[ema-adama]

Originally Posted by baileyann3

It did bleed, and I cleaned it immediately with hydrogen peroxide and let it breathe for at least three hours before covering it with my sock.

Today it's tender but seems to have closed.

No it was not deep. Like at most 1/4 of an inch

In these circumstances (and you breastfeeding) I do not think I would want TIG or dT.

I hope you find enough information to make the best decision for yourself.

ETA: I see we cross posted. To a rapid, healthy wound healing process

[mkmoro311]

What is the theory behind the bleeding? If it bleeds it flushes out the wound?