Biology class lecture tetanus shot

[mysticmomma]

On the topic of resistance to disease, I was given this question:

You step on a rusty nail sticking out of the ground. It penetrates to the muscle. How would a tetanus shot help?

On the answer sheet, it says, "... acts as the primary response so that you make more antibodies faster."

IIRC, a tetanus shot after the fact does no good... or is there one specific type of teatnus vaccination that is helpful after the fact?

I just can't remember, and I'd like to start a discussion with facts.

Thanks!
Trisha

[angelpie545]

Tetanus Immune Globulin (not a vaccination to my understanding) injected intramuscularly after an injury will prevent tetanus infection, but you are correct; the vaccine won't do anything because it takes time to build up immunity.

[Emmeline II]

You could try asking at the Inside Vaccines board also.

[saimeiyu]

Originally Posted by mysticmomma

On the topic of resistance to disease, I was given this question:

You step on a rusty nail sticking out of the ground. It penetrates to the muscle. How would a tetanus shot help?

On the answer sheet, it says, "... acts as the primary response so that you make more antibodies faster."

IIRC, a tetanus shot after the fact does no good... or is there one specific type of teatnus vaccination that is helpful after the fact?

I just can't remember, and I'd like to start a discussion with facts.

Thanks!
Trisha

Maybe they mean having had a tetanus shot beforehand?

[Ophelia]

What I have read, is that if someone was previously vaccinated with tetanus, and tetanus is suspected, that a vaccine soon after the fact MAY do some good. But if the person has had no previous tetanus vaccine, it won't do any good.

And yes, there's the immunoglobulin thing too. Not a vaccine, but a blood product.