Tetanus Shot and What Else?

agee12 · April 17, 2017

I am a newbie gardener and randomly came across that gardeners should get tetanus shot / boosters and am going to ask for this at my doctor's appointment on Thursday, is there anything else I should ask for?

Thanks.

dmforcier · April 17, 2017

A discount?

My clinic keeps wanting to give me a tetanus shot. Neither I nor the nurse can explain why since I'm not at risk. But if you're working in dirt, it's a good idea.

Elliot · April 26, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmforcier

A discount?

My clinic keeps wanting to give me a tetanus shot. Neither I nor the nurse can explain why since I'm not at risk. But if you're working in dirt, it's a good idea.

We are all at risk. that is why they give little kids boosters. Tetanus will grow in a deep puncture wound and it does not have to come from a garden injury. So I would say to all of us, get one every ten years.

slugworth · April 17, 2017

actually now it's a mix of things.
I stepped on a nail last year and it was a combo shot of 3 things.

Labradors2 · April 17, 2017

Yeah Slugworth. It's a combo shot of Tetanus, Diptheria and Whooping Cough.

It seems the docs are really pushing Tetanus shots these days, probably to make Big Pharma even more rich. I run in the opposite direction.....

Linda

bower · April 17, 2017

We were talking about this not long ago... iirc horse manure was mentioned as increasing the risk of tetanus, however it takes a deep puncture wound to get infected I think.
Rusty nail is infamous.
Boosters are recommended, but afaict it's also necessary to go get shots immediately if you did have a wound, so left me wondering what the booster was good for, then.

Better safe than sorry is a good motto I guess.

I like my gloves, and hobnail boots too.

Ok not exactly. I'll pick up them nasty sticks and pull the nails out.

KarenO · April 17, 2017

Tetanus is a horrific disease entirely preventable with a simple immunization. It is available both I. It's own as well as in combination with diphtheria and whooping cough. Recommend For everyone.
Google a video of a patient with tetanus. Thanks to vaccines, a rare occurance.
Incidentally most cases of whooping cough in infants comes from adult relatives so a booster is a good idea not only for yourself but any children you may care about as well.
Karen

slugworth · April 17, 2017

I didn't get a shot immediately.By the next day I could barely walk.
My doctor back in the 80's blamed horses.
All nails you step on will be rusty,unless they are galvanized.

HudsonValley · April 17, 2017

Tetanus lives in dirt, and gardening involves sharp tools, so it's a good idea. (Here in Lyme disease country, tick bites also occasion a tetanus shot along with the gut-busting antibiotic, doxycycline. No one at the doctor's office could explain why I needed a tetanus shot for a tick bite, but it's now the health department-issued protocol.)

Labradors2 · April 17, 2017

http://holisticsquid.com/when-to-get-a-tetanus-shot/

It seems that many health care professionals are promoting tetanus shots right now. Perhaps they didn't read the above link.....

Linda

bower · April 17, 2017

I went looking for some stats. Also figured out, the booster and the shot given after the fact are not the same thing. First is immunization; second is an anti-toxin treatment.
Stats:
Older people have the highest incidence, and that is due to lower immunization profile. Didn't get our boosters! CDC points out that the decline in cases was also associated with the shift from rural to predominantly urban lifestyles. Better wound care protocols may be a factor as well.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/vpd-me...onnels-eng.php

Canadian stats show a clearer association between the introduction of the vaccine and the decline in cases. Nowadays risk factors recognized as diabetes, injection drug use, animal bites. Cases included blunt trauma and no wounds, not only punctures. Scary description of the disease!
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/vpd-me...onnels-eng.php

World Health Organization makes the point, that tetanus can not be eradicated, because it remains ubiquitous in the environment. Neonatal tetanus is still a problem in developing nations. Also says "People who recover from tetanus do not have natural immunity and can be infected again and therefore need to be immunized."
http://www.who.int/immunization/diseases/tetanus/en/

I do think it makes sense for gardeners, farmers, involved in manuring the ground and generally getting lots of exposure to tetanus spores, to get the booster if you want to be safe (if you're not allergic! or opposed by conviction). The anti-toxin treatment may save your life, but anything to reduce the severity would be worth it, IMO, so it's booster for me, whenever, ifever I get to see a doctor again.

KarenO · April 17, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labradors2

http://holisticsquid.com/when-to-get-a-tetanus-shot/

It seems that many health care professionals are promoting tetanus shots right now. Perhaps they didn't read the above link.....

Linda

Holistic squid? I am a critical care registered nurse. Love you Linda but I didn't get my degree from the university of the holistic squid.
I think folks should follow their licenced medical professional's advice.
Best wishes to those who don't, to each their own.
KO

greenthumbomaha · April 17, 2017

This is timely for me as I stepped on a rusty nail that appeared out of nowhere on my deck yesterday evening. I had tennis socks on. I normally don't go outside without shoes, as I just plain don't like it. I didn't bleed, but I saw an indentation on my foot and it did ache for several hours. I was grabbing a few trays near the door to take in for the night.

I have lots of allergies to antibiotics, and I was told I was allergic to tetanus. Many years ago someone playing sand volleyball bumped in to me and his foot slid over mine. With the pain and sand abrasion it was quite an owie. I went to the er and although they suggested a tetanus shot, the procedure would have been to hospitalize me and give me small doses. I declined. Hopefully I dodged a bullet yesterday too.

You just never know. BTW I have had Lyme disease and the course of treatment I received while in NY was extended treatment with what is now called a z-pac. It is to knock down the lyme bacteria itself. A tetanus shot was also discussed.

- Lisa

Interesting article. Thank you Linda. Like gambling depending on your injury.

brownrexx · April 17, 2017

Perhaps I did look at that link but the Holistic Squid does not sound like any kind of reliable scientific journal to me and not something I would risk my health on.

My grandfather died of tetanus - I'll take the vaccine. You can listen to the squid if you choose.

Worth1 · April 17, 2017

If you look on the maps were this stuff uccurs you will see alomist nonting in the US or with developed countries.'
It is in the 3rd world countries.

This is because we have shots and health care.
Take it for what it is.
Many if you guys think of me as an idiot skeptic but I am not all the way am a realist.

Modern medicine has done wonders for us.
Don't turn your back on it.
Many people died horribly back in the so called good old days.

Worth

April 17, 2017	#1
agee12 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 196	Tetanus Shot and What Else? I am a newbie gardener and randomly came across that gardeners should get tetanus shot / boosters and am going to ask for this at my doctor's appointment on Thursday, is there anything else I should ask for? Thanks.

April 17, 2017	#2
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	A discount? My clinic keeps wanting to give me a tetanus shot. Neither I nor the nurse can explain why since I'm not at risk. But if you're working in dirt, it's a good idea. __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

April 17, 2017	#7
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	Tetanus is a horrific disease entirely preventable with a simple immunization. It is available both I. It's own as well as in combination with diphtheria and whooping cough. Recommend For everyone. Google a video of a patient with tetanus. Thanks to vaccines, a rare occurance. Incidentally most cases of whooping cough in infants comes from adult relatives so a booster is a good idea not only for yourself but any children you may care about as well. Karen Last edited by KarenO; April 17, 2017 at 03:45 PM.

April 17, 2017	#13
greenthumbomaha Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha Zone 5 Posts: 2,514	This is timely for me as I stepped on a rusty nail that appeared out of nowhere on my deck yesterday evening. I had tennis socks on. I normally don't go outside without shoes, as I just plain don't like it. I didn't bleed, but I saw an indentation on my foot and it did ache for several hours. I was grabbing a few trays near the door to take in for the night. I have lots of allergies to antibiotics, and I was told I was allergic to tetanus. Many years ago someone playing sand volleyball bumped in to me and his foot slid over mine. With the pain and sand abrasion it was quite an owie. I went to the er and although they suggested a tetanus shot, the procedure would have been to hospitalize me and give me small doses. I declined. Hopefully I dodged a bullet yesterday too. You just never know. BTW I have had Lyme disease and the course of treatment I received while in NY was extended treatment with what is now called a z-pac. It is to knock down the lyme bacteria itself. A tetanus shot was also discussed. - Lisa Interesting article. Thank you Linda. Like gambling depending on your injury. Last edited by greenthumbomaha; April 17, 2017 at 07:22 PM.

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April 17, 2017	#4
slugworth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: connecticut,usa Posts: 1,152	actually now it's a mix of things. I stepped on a nail last year and it was a combo shot of 3 things.

April 17, 2017	#5
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,897	Yeah Slugworth. It's a combo shot of Tetanus, Diptheria and Whooping Cough. It seems the docs are really pushing Tetanus shots these days, probably to make Big Pharma even more rich. I run in the opposite direction..... Linda

April 17, 2017	#6
bower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 6,794	We were talking about this not long ago... iirc horse manure was mentioned as increasing the risk of tetanus, however it takes a deep puncture wound to get infected I think. Rusty nail is infamous. Boosters are recommended, but afaict it's also necessary to go get shots immediately if you did have a wound, so left me wondering what the booster was good for, then. Better safe than sorry is a good motto I guess. I like my gloves, and hobnail boots too. Ok not exactly. I'll pick up them nasty sticks and pull the nails out.

April 17, 2017	#9
HudsonValley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Hudson Valley, NY, Zone 6a Posts: 626	Tetanus lives in dirt, and gardening involves sharp tools, so it's a good idea. (Here in Lyme disease country, tick bites also occasion a tetanus shot along with the gut-busting antibiotic, doxycycline. No one at the doctor's office could explain why I needed a tetanus shot for a tick bite, but it's now the health department-issued protocol.)

April 17, 2017	#14
brownrexx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 1,420	Perhaps I did look at that link but the Holistic Squid does not sound like any kind of reliable scientific journal to me and not something I would risk my health on. My grandfather died of tetanus - I'll take the vaccine. You can listen to the squid if you choose.

April 17, 2017	#15
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	If you look on the maps were this stuff uccurs you will see alomist nonting in the US or with developed countries.' It is in the 3rd world countries. This is because we have shots and health care. Take it for what it is. Many if you guys think of me as an idiot skeptic but I am not all the way am a realist. Modern medicine has done wonders for us. Don't turn your back on it. Many people died horribly back in the so called good old days. Worth