Please help--does my baby need a tetanus shot?

[Shachar613]

I know this may be a silly question but I'm too panicky to research right now. I'm hoping someone can help me.

My unvaxed 10 month old baby was just playing next to an open window at a neighbor's and put something in her mouth. I did the "hook and sweep" to see what it was and it was a rusty screw. It was so rusty that it left rust all over my hands when I held it. Oy.

Do I need to get her a tetanus shot? I don't think she has cuts in her mouth, but what if she does and I don't know? We don't live in a rural area, and I know that tetanus is mostly found in animal feces. We should be okay, right? Yikes. Please say yes. I feel like a terrible mother.

[Mackenzie]

Tetanus is only an issue in deep puncture wounds. Pretty unlikely with a screw in the absence of an extreme amount of screaming. It just rubbing off in her mouth is not likely to be an issue in the least.

[Collinsky]

Rust does not cause tetanus. The reason that a "rusty nail" has become a symbol for tetanus is because puncture wounds are the ones most likely to lead to tetanus - and nails lying around barnyards are often rusty, and a common way to get a puncture wound. And the reason puncture wounds are most often affected is because they bleed little and it's harder for air to get to them. Tetanus is anaerobic, meaning that it cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. Air kills it.

Tetanus is actually not an easy disease to contract. From what you describe, it would be almost impossible for her to get it! I wouldn't worry at all.

[alegna]

:

Rust has absolutely nothing to do with tetanus.

-Angela

[Shachar613]

So good to hear that. Thanks so much, mamas.