Punctured my toe. Pregnant. Tetanus shot?

[welldone]

So, I just punctured my toe on a thin, dirty, rusty piece of metal in the Target parking lot. I was wearing sandals. Who leaves metal pieces in the parking lot, anyway?

It bled like crazy. There were pools of blood everywhere. My poor little girls freaked out. Now, all I can see is a teeny slit (1/8" long) where the metal first went in. I think it's a very deep cut. Soooo, do I have to go see a doctor? Are they gonna recommend a tetanus shot? I don't want one, but this is the first time I've ever had a wound that seemed like classic breeding grounds for tetanus.

I'm not so hot on the idea of injecting myself with mercury (and lots of other junk!) while pregnant. But this is one of those weird, freaky wounds that leaves you wondering.

[alegna]

Not in your group, but I wouldn't worry about tetanus at all if it bled that much.

Come over to the vaccination forum for tons of info.

-Angela

[Hezzy]

I would definitely talk to my HCP about it, at the least. You can still decide not to do it, even if they recommend it. Any chance you've had a tetanus booster in the last 10 years?

My cat bit me early on and my MW suggested a tetanus shot, but I decided not to do it and it all worked out fine. It wasn't a particulary deep wound, though, and it was my indoor cat.

Make sure you scrub the heck out of your wound, preferably with iodine or alcohol (ouch) and let it bleed plenty. I'm so sorry you got hurt!

[sorteep]

I would not get one... esp don't let them give tetanus VACCINE (which would not work anyway) what they do give is the tetanus toxoid.. a blood product and I think both contain thimerosal (mercury containing preservative) , I have an autistic son to show for my thimerosal containing Rhogam shot while PG.. 'nuf said? pp has good advice, check vax forum tons of GREAT info..

ps I am going on memory so pardon if not all 100% here you need to check the other forum for 100% accurate info..

[Valerieg]

I'd talk to your dr...it's definitely a risk-benefit situation and depending on what it was that you stepped on, the amount of bleeding, and how clean you were able to get it...you may be able to forgo the shot.

But what if you were to contract tetanus while PG?

I'm completely against unecessary interventions during pregnancy but all for taking precautions if they're available and necessary. I'd find out if you have any reason to worry.

GL!

[sorteep]

keep in mind the info your doc will give you comes directly and ONLY from the drug companies (who MAKE the vax/ shot) soooooooo do *try* to make your decision (whatever it may be) using ACCURATE information or at least info from ALL sides of the situation...

full accurate informed consent... that is the main thing.. everyone has to make the decision that works for THEM (which might not work for me.. but is best for YOU KWIM??)

I think www.909shot.com has some good info you WON"T hear from your conventional doc..

good luck with your decision..

[monocyte]

I also had a metal injury last week - opening a wooden fence gate with the pull chain - it was frayed and sliced me pretty good. It didn't really bleed too much and I tried to clean it as much as possible. It did end up getting pussy and needed to be re-opened (Im sure bc there was a piece of metal in it).

No tetanus shot for me, the doc was cool about it, and even recommended letting the body heal the infection before recommending antibiotics, esp while pg. I'm all for the watch and wait theory. I didn't even consider it til he said it. The chances of tetanus are so slim...I've just been doing lots of soaking, covering it during the day, and airing at night.

[Monkeybutt]

I agree, since you bled so much I think Id skip it myself!

[welldone]

Just got back from the doc.

I feel like this is a lose-lose situation...I feel guilty and worried sick no matter what I choose. Get the vax (she suggested Adacel), feel guilty, don't get the vax, worry about tetanus and fetal death.

At this point, I'm declining the vax and choosing to pray over fretting any longer. The doctor was wonderful and laid back, but didn't know any more about the vaccine than I did.

[Kontessa]

((((HUGS))))

I would not, specially seeing it did a good bleed.

You seem torn though so if I where you I would do a lot of research first. I bet what ever you learn will be even better then your Dr as he is after all paid to do what he does and have the opinions he has. Unless the Dr is someone you are close with and very much trust.

To me, at least with the military health care system, all Drs are no better then strangers. I would not put my health in the hands of a stranger and so why would I a Dr I do not know very very well? I always do my own research as my family has been harmed by following blindly.

Sorry for the rant, I worry.

Blessings,
Kimmy

[mom0810]

I would not worry about it. Tetanus is really a risk if there is lots of poop from farm animals all around, and it does not sound like that would be the case if it was in a Target parking lot. Plus, if it bled, then lots of air got to the wound. If you have a wound that is really deep and doesn't bleed, then that's a problem. Tetanus grows in the absence of oxygen.

I second Alegna's advice... check out the vax forum for more info. Just clean the heck out of it with peroxide and it should be fine. Tetanus is really, really, really rare.

[myjulybabes]

No, I would not get the actual vaccination. Why? Because it does not confer instant immunity. In theory, vaxxes work by introducing the virus and getting your immune system to build up a defense against it. (I say "in theory" because that's what the docs tell you, I have no idea how well it really works in reality). If it's tetnaus has already been introduced via the wound, what would be the point of the vax?

Now there is another treatment, some kind of immune globulin...thing. (forgive me, this pregnancy has TOTALLY fried my brain) and I might look into that. Ask in the vax forum about that treatment, they'd be able to give you the pros and cons.

Now for the record, I did in fact, get a DT shot when I was pregnant with dd, because at the time I had no clue there was any reason not to. She turned out healthy and normal and FINE. But if I had it to do over...nope. There's no reason.

[sorteep]

I realize I am prob "beating a dead horse" here but I thought it might be imporant to post a link of what adacel is...... ummmmmmmmm there is CERTAINLY no need to throw pertussis as well as diptheria vax in there also, NO reason at all.. the *only* shot that *might* be remotely appropriate is teh TIG (tetanus toxoid blood immunoglobulin) but it contains thimerosal.... and it must be taken w/in 72 hrs of injury so prob a moot point now.. just trying to keep everyone informed.... sorry to keep hammering this post but it is really important..

http://www.adacelvaccine.com/support...772-4R_1pg.pdf

[welldone]

You're right, Laura et al, the Adacel vaccine is unnecessary at this point. The doctor's probably just doing her public health thing and trying to make sure everyone gets a vaccine booster at some point. I disagree with her, but I respect her stance.

She made the point that this vaccine is good for adults who choose not to vaccinate their children, so that the adults do not bring pertussis home. It's a valid point, and I would consider it if I were not pregnant/nursing. Though it's unlikely I would actually choose to have it done.

She didn't recommend the TIG to me, which was curious, and didn't know enough about tetanus to speak of time frames (how soon would I need a vaccine or TIG in order to fight possible tetanus?).

At this point, I'm pretty much decided not to have anything done. Since the puncture occurred yesterday around 10:30 a.m., I still have time to decide to pursue to TIG. But I probably won't.

I appreciate all your support. I'm trying hard not to be angry at the world that this happened when I'm pregnant.

[alegna]

The pertussis vaccine does not prevent transmission.

-Angela

[sorteep]

Originally Posted by welldone

She made the point that this vaccine is good for adults who choose not to vaccinate their children, so that the adults do not bring pertussis home. It's a valid point, and I would consider it if I were not pregnant/nursing. Though it's unlikely I would actually choose to have it done

I still wonder why the combo in that case if only pertussis is under consideration? maybe for the tetnus booster for teh adult as well.. but the diptheria too?? interesting.. I think it is a convenience thing for the docs.. personally I am a non vaxer but respect everyone's right to make an informed choice on these matters.. as my sister says.. no matter WHAT you choose there is no totally risk free option in these cases.. It is an easy "no" decision for me but I really feel for families struggling to come to the decision about the topic of vax.. tough stuff, and the hardest is to get doctor cooperation to selectively and monovalently vax (as opposed to total opt out) I realize I am OT (sorta) here , sorry..

for the record, I was so happy when my kids got pertussis! (older than a yr of course) it was no big deal.. really, nor was chicken pox, measles or German measles, or roseola.. still trying to get Evan CP tho.... maybe this spring.. I tend to prefer immunity the old fashion (lifelong) way but, again, that is just me..

many hugs, try not to stress, tetanus is SOOOOOOO rare even in a high risk wound (which yours is NOT) , be well..
laura

ps alegna LOVE your quotes under sig!!!! soooo... "me"

[welldone]

Yeah, while we're OT:

I would love it if my kids would get chicken pox. Our kids aren't vaccinated, either. When our church passed around a notice last year, apologizing about a potential exposure to chicken pox in the nursery, all I could think was, "Shoot! Why didn't someone tell me, so I could stick my kids in nursery that day?"

[sorteep]

Originally Posted by welldone

Yeah, while we're OT:

I would love it if my kids would get chicken pox. Our kids aren't vaccinated, either. When our church passed around a notice last year, apologizing about a potential exposure to chicken pox in the nursery, all I could think was, "Shoot! Why didn't someone tell me, so I could stick my kids in nursery that day?"

OH I totally "get " that! once I was trying to get someone from Ohio to send me a drooly sippy cup when their kid had CP !! (they refused!!) there was an outbreak around here in March but *sigh* I avoided since I do test neg on antibodies (despite being COVERED with them at age 33.. WTF ?? is THAT about??I got them from DS1 and is was xmas day I broke out so I gave them to six kids that I know of, woohoo! so I KNOW it was CP for sure, it wasn't THAT bad..I managed despite the rumors of horrors of adult cases) so I really didn't want to get them (again) while PG.. I have my limits! I know there are measles and CP parties around the Nat health communities.. I just have to get back "in the loop"