Need Advice on Tetanus

[mekatz73]

Hi Ladies,
So I never have vaxed my kids 5 and 2, today my ped tried to talk me into tetanus, and now I am wondering if I should. I should say he is pro vax, but repects our choices. So my son (2) fell yesterday and cut his head. I was there for his check up today and asked my ped to look at it.. He recommended I go to the ER to have a tetanus shot. I don't know what to do. He fell in our yard, mostly dirt and some rocks.
Thanks for any advice.

[mama2soren]

If the wound bled and was not a very deep puncture wound, your son was never at risk for tetanus. Because it can only live in anaerobic environments, it will not survive in a surface wound or in a wound that bled a bit (and thus, cleaned itself out).

Every doc has his or her favorite vaccine that they consider a top priority. It sounds like your doctor's is tetanus. It's funny though, since he doesn't seem to understand how his favorite vaccine works? If your son had a tetanus-prone puncture wound from a rusty piece of metal buried in the dirt, he would need the tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) to fight the current likelihood of infection. A tetanus vaccine would help provide FUTURE immunity, but would not work quickly enough to protect your son if he was exposed to tetanus in said puncture wound.

All that being said, read up on how tetanus infection takes place. It really sounds unlikely that your son is at risk. If you believe he needs medical help, though, make sure to get the TIG, which is not the same as the tetanus vaccine. They will offer you the vaccine too, but knowing it won't help him today, you can choose not to get it.

[Arduinna]

I'm trying to think of a head injury that meets the criteria for possible tetanus that wouldn't require hospitalization and/or surgery. Can't think of one.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Arduinna

I'm trying to think of a head injury that meets the criteria for possible tetanus that wouldn't require hospitalization and/or surgery. Can't think of one.

Cephalic tetanus, while rare, can proceed from superficial wounds.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by Otto

Cephalic tetanus, while rare, can proceed from superficial wounds.

yes....however this type of tetanus represents 1-3% of the total reported cases of tetanus, which in an of itself is miniscule.

[mekatz73]

He actually did say something about tetanus immuglobin. whole time he was talking, I kept thinking, I am going to have to run to the emergency room every time my kids get a cut.I didnt realize there were two types of vaccines. Honestly the He did bleed, not for very long. I cleaned it last night, any my doctor said to keep putting bactine 3 times a day.
I guess I am just wondering..if I wait too long will it be too late.

Originally Posted by mama2soren

If the wound bled and was not a very deep puncture wound, your son was never at risk for tetanus. Because it can only live in anaerobic environments, it will not survive in a surface wound or in a wound that bled a bit (and thus, cleaned itself out).

Every doc has his or her favorite vaccine that they consider a top priority. It sounds like your doctor's is tetanus. It's funny though, since he doesn't seem to understand how his favorite vaccine works? If your son had a tetanus-prone puncture wound from a rusty piece of metal buried in the dirt, he would need the tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) to fight the current likelihood of infection. A tetanus vaccine would help provide FUTURE immunity, but would not work quickly enough to protect your son if he was exposed to tetanus in said puncture wound.

All that being said, read up on how tetanus infection takes place. It really sounds unlikely that your son is at risk. If you believe he needs medical help, though, make sure to get the TIG, which is not the same as the tetanus vaccine. They will offer you the vaccine too, but knowing it won't help him today, you can choose not to get it.