Freaking out... Tetanus?

[mom2babygirl]

Around the beginning of June I stepped on a rusty roofing nail that was lying on the sidewalk. It looked like the house had just had their roof done. I'm not entirely sure how deep it went in, but it bled, I cleaned it right away with an alcohol wipe (I was out for a walk so I only had my first aid kit). When I got home DH put peroxide on it. It healed up well, it was never painful, a little red for a few days, but that was about it.
Today I'm feeling a little yucky, my neck is a little sore and so is my jaw. My neck could be sore because I slept on the couch last night... not comfy. But now I'm paranoid that it's Tetanus related. I asked DH to look up the symptoms today because I know if I did I probably would have freaked out more. I'm a healthy 27 year old. I haven't had any tetanus boosters since childhood. I don't know if I should go to the Doc or not. I know the tetanus shot wouldn't do anything at this point... but what about the TIG?
Should I be worried????
TIA

[katelove]

The incubation period for tetanus is between 3 and 21 days so, if it was the beginning of June that you trod on the nail, it is unlikely your neck pain is tetanus.

Also, if you have had 3 tetanus vaccinations in your life you may be immune anyway, even without having had a booster.

Hope that puts your mind at rest.

[Marnica]

I agree...I wouldn't worry about it

[Gitti]

Worst case scenario: it is tetanus. You are young and healthy, you will heal yourself. Just continue to eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids and within a few days you'll be over it. Tetanus is not deadly in everyone. We don't even know how many people do have tetanus symptoms and heal themselves.

They have done some study (don't ask me for sources, but there was a thread about it a long time ago) and found that people have natural immunity to tetanus. They could only have gotten that via exposure.

We carry tetanus in our gut. I understand that is quite different than in a wound, but the body is famliar with exposure to tetanus and can heal it. I would not treat it if I thought I might have it. I would still rely on my natural body fluids and immune system to handle it.

But in your case, I don't think you are having a tetanus reaction at this time.

[mom2babygirl]

Thank you ladies. I forgot to mention I also took Ledum when it happened. I took another dose yesterday and some rescue remedy and I feel better this morning. I knew you guys would make me feel better.

[MountainMamaGC]

I love you Gitti.

[xmasbaby7]

I agree that there is a chance it could be, so I would take the same precautions I would when trying to overcome a bacterial infection: dose up on the C, get lots of rest, reduce white flour/sugar/diary, take my fish oils.

Just like Gitti said!

[Delicateflower]

Your childhood tetanus vaccinations most likely give you some protection.

Clinical tetanus is less severe among patients who have a history of receiving a primary series of tetanus toxoid sometime during their life as compared with patients who are inadequately vaccinated or unvaccinated. The mortality rate in the United States is 6% for individuals who had previously received 1-2 doses of tetanus toxoid compared with 15% for individuals who were unvaccinated.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/786414-overview

In the future, I'd go to the doctor for a jab straight after a deep puncture wound, as these are the types of injuries which are most likely to give you tetanus.

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by Delicateflower

In the future, I'd go to the doctor for a jab straight after a deep puncture wound, as these are the types of injuries which are most likely to give you tetanus.

Unfortunately that will only serve to placate the patient (and maybe the doctor), nothing more.

[mom2babygirl]

Again, you guys are awesome thanks for the suggestions.. off I go to take some extra vit C!

[Delicateflower]

Originally Posted by Gitti

Unfortunately that will only serve to placate the patient (and maybe the doctor), nothing more.

Oh, I wasn't aware that tetanus antibodies didn't clean up tetanus in your body. My bad. Silly textbooks.

[luminesce]

I don't have the link/study handy but tetanus shots are likely good for 30 years, not the 5-10 they recommend.

[luminesce]

Originally Posted by Delicateflower

Oh, I wasn't aware that tetanus antibodies didn't clean up tetanus in your body. My bad. Silly textbooks.

If you received a tetanus vaccine previously, a booster at the time of injury might help. If you haven't previously been vaccinated though, it won't do a lick of good. You'd need TIG (a blood product.)