20 mo old, ER visit, and pressure to vax for Tetanus

[ashleep]

We had to take DS to the ER for stitches yesterday. He had 2 1in long cuts on his forehead, one was pretty deep, the other not as bad. Both needed stitches. He cut his head inside, on clean glass. It bled a lot.

The physician's asst insisted we needed to give him the tetanus vax. We politely told her we weren't comfortable doing that today, but we'd follow up with our ped in a few days. As she left the room in a huff, she said, "Well, I have to go get a paper for you to sign stating we warned you HE COULD DIE!"

No kidding. She put lots of emphasis in the dying part. We were fuming. Would she have said that if it were my 4 yo needing care? What in the world makes her think that it is OK to try and scare people like that? AND, not once was it mentioned that it wouldn't be *just* tetanus, but the whole Dtap.

It was exhausting. It took 5 hours to get my 20 mo old stitched up and outta there. I want to have a little notebook with all my quickfacts about vax because I was so frazzled from the ordeal I was having a hard time just thinking.

Thanks for reading. Just needed to share with people who understand.

[AnalogWife]

I got in a big tug-of-war with our Pedi about the Tetanus vax and an injury my DS had....he used the "DEATH" card and kept pushing the tetanus shot. I too was pretty frazzled, the way he presented it made it sound like they DID have a tetanus-only shot, so when I asked he had to admit that it only comes in DTaP. : Why is everyone so willing to spread misinformation??

[theretohere]

That's silly- if they were really worried about tetanus they'd have been pushing for the TiG.

[Marnica]

Sorry you had to deal with that crap!

It bled alot so what's the problem?? Anyway they don't care whether the wound is high risk wound or not, they will just take any opportunity to push a vax as it is so ingrained in them.

[Gladiolus]

It really does suck to have to deal with these situations.
My son got a small cut (that bled, a lot!) on his forehead when he was 1.5 years old. The ER doctor wouldn't even start the process of stitches without having a 10 minute discussion with me about tetanus, the consequences and how vaccines work. So my child's head is still open and bleeding, my 3 year old daughter is sitting right there. At first I said "do we REALLY have to do this - can't you just treat him now?" And she said "No, I have to know that you know the consequences of your actions" and she's making me tell her about how I know my son could die from tetanus since he's not vaccinated.
I have thought about jotting a few key points down and just keeping it in my purse for when situations like this come up. I've also thought about lying to the ER in the future. I'm not there yet but it's tempting.

[inchwormz]

Originally Posted by theretohere

That's silly- if they were really worried about tetanus they'd have been pushing for the TiG.

I'm still a bit confused about how this works. Can someone link me to an explanation that's not too "medical". I'm not a science guru.

Thanks!

[claddaghmom]

Originally Posted by inchwormz

I'm still a bit confused about how this works. Can someone link me to an explanation that's not too "medical". I'm not a science guru.

Thanks!

DTaP is the vaccine. Tig is the immunoglobulin.

I don't know if I'm going too basic here.... but the vaccine has an adjuvant (toxin) that stimulates the body to attack the virus/bacteria/whathave you. This causes the body to build antibodies. Or so the theory goes.

Immunoglobulins are basically a package of the antigens/antibodies sent straight into your body. As opposed to the body making them.

So, if the child has already been wounded, and already been introduced to tetanus, a doctor with pure intentions and concern over tetanus would recommend globulins, not the vaccine.

If doctors are pushing for the DTaP they are either ignorant or have an agenda.

[ZoeyZoo]

Originally Posted by inchwormz

I'm still a bit confused about how this works. Can someone link me to an explanation that's not too "medical". I'm not a science guru.

Thanks!

Basically it takes about 2 weeks to make antibodies to the vax. The TiG is antibodies. So if you haven't been vaxed and really need the antibodies to prevent an infection the vax will do nothing. The TiG is the only thing that will help.

[2cutiekitties]

How do you pronounce TiG?

Between reading OP and the swine flu thread, I am ready to live on Mars

[peainthepod]

Originally Posted by Gladiolus

My son got a small cut (that bled, a lot!) on his forehead when he was 1.5 years old. The ER doctor wouldn't even start the process of stitches without having a 10 minute discussion with me about tetanus, the consequences and how vaccines work. So my child's head is still open and bleeding, my 3 year old daughter is sitting right there. At first I said "do we REALLY have to do this - can't you just treat him now?" And she said "No, I have to know that you know the consequences of your actions" and she's making me tell her about how I know my son could die from tetanus since he's not vaccinated.

Oh my goodness, mama, I would have lost it! Next time, retort with something like, "Are you denying my bleeding, wounded child emergency medical care because we are exercising our parental RIGHT to decline vaccines today?" Say it loudly so everyone around you can hear that this doctor is refusing to treat an injured child. Surely that falls under the umbrella of malpractice...

These arrogant people need to have the fear of God (lawyers) put into them somehow. I would be livid.

[claddaghmom]

Originally Posted by peainthepod

Oh my goodness, mama, I would have lost it! Next time, retort with something like, "Are you denying my bleeding, wounded child emergency medical care because we are exercising our parental RIGHT to decline vaccines today?" Say it loudly so everyone around you can hear that this doctor is refusing to treat an injured child. Surely that falls under the umbrella of malpractice...

These arrogant people need to have the fear of God (lawyers) put into them somehow. I would be livid.

lmao

[Magali]

I just went through this with my hcp who told me that since I refused the booster for myself if I ever go in the emergency with a wound from *metal* :, that they will have to give me the vax. Such misinformation. I told her that I was sure that in this case they would give TIG. Oh no she assured me. The tetanus vax would protect me.

[inchwormz]

Originally Posted by ZoeyZoo

Basically it takes about 2 weeks to make antibodies to the vax. The TiG is antibodies. So if you haven't been vaxed and really need the antibodies to prevent an infection the vax will do nothing. The TiG is the only thing that will help.

Thank you! This is what I understood, but just wanted to make sure I was reading it correctly.

Originally Posted by 2cutiekitties

How do you pronounce TiG?

Wondering this as well. If I'm ever stuck in the ER with one of my girls, I'd like to know I'm pronouncing it correctly with anyone trying to push a vax on us.

[GAmomto5]

Originally Posted by 2cutiekitties

How do you pronounce TiG?

Between reading OP and the swine flu thread, I am ready to live on Mars

"TiG" rhymes with "Big"

[faerierose]

I went through this last year with my ds. He needed stitches and they kept telling me they needed to give him the vax. I refused the vax and the ER doc looked at me and said "do you even KNOW what tetanus is?" :
Yes as a matter of fact I do, I also know that a tetanus vaccine will do NOTHING to protect him from a wound he already has! I told her if they were truly worried about tetanus then they could give him the TiG and after consulting with her supervisor they admitted that his wound was not a "dirty wound" and he was in no immediate danger of tetanus. We filed a complaint against that Dr with the hospital.

[pokeyrin]

Originally Posted by AnalogWife

I got in a big tug-of-war with our Pedi about the Tetanus vax and an injury my DS had....he used the "DEATH" card and kept pushing the tetanus shot. I too was pretty frazzled, the way he presented it made it sound like they DID have a tetanus-only shot, so when I asked he had to admit that it only comes in DTaP. : Why is everyone so willing to spread misinformation??

Actually there is a tetanus only vax, it's the TT the tetanus toxoid. I only know about this is because I got one when I was bitten by a dog and pregnant. :

My OB scared me into it : and this was before I knew better (about OB's and Vaccines). I totally regretted it afterwards and vowed never again and of course switched to a midwife.

But for those who selectively vax there is a tetanus only shot, but it's extremely difficult to find outside of a vaccine clinic.

[AnalogWife]

Originally Posted by pokeyrin

Actually there is a tetanus only vax, it's the TT the tetanus toxoid. I only know about this is because I got one when I was bitten by a dog and pregnant. :

My OB scared me into it : and this was before I knew better (about OB's and Vaccines). I totally regretted it afterwards and vowed never again and of course switched to a midwife.

But for those who selectively vax there is a tetanus only shot, but it's extremely difficult to find outside of a vaccine clinic.

Do they have a tet-only for children? Other than the Tig?

[medusaatemydog]

Doctors are becoming increasingly unethical and desensitized

[Gitti]

You owed no one an explanation. Simply NO should have been enough. She had no right to say what she did. I know I would have told her to go to h...

We can't let doctors who are working for pharmaceutical corporations and are brainwashed make any desisions for us any longer. They have forgotten what health care and healing are all about. What a shame.

[Mamatoabunch]

BTDT a few times, once harassed as my 2y/o was getting her head stitched. I now just state plainly that our decision to vax is not up for discussion.