Topic: Flipped in ATV yesterday: Layed finger open: Tetanus or not??
lymielauren28
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13742
posted
Okay, long story short I was riding in one of those rhino ATV's and the guy driving it flipped us. I'm scraped up pretty good but laid my index finger open to the bone. Went in this morning and got stitches but declined a Tetanus shot due to what I've read here.
Needless to say the doctor was not happy about it, but ultimately it's my decision. I have no idea what cut my finger open so bad...could've been gravel or a screw...just don't know.
This was out on a farm...cows, horses all that good stuff. But, from what I've read you should be up to date on the vaccine for it to work properly - getting one after the fact won't cut it. I just HATE the thought of getting the vaccine and having a relapse or adverse reaction but sure don't want tetanus either....
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
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From what I understand, it's not toolate to get the tetanus shot after the injury.
Posts: 797 | From New York | Registered: Feb 2008
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cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
I just posted recently about this... the eventual consensus was to get the shot, and try to get it for tetanus only, none of the extras.
My LLMD encouraged the shot as well, and she is generally not one to do so.
I was terrified about getting a tetanus shot and having a set back.
But... Tetanus can kill.
Oh, and yes - you can absolutely get the shot after the injury. I think if you wait till you have symptoms then it would be too late.
Feel better!
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
I had a tetanus shot after stepping on a nail.
I was sick, but not formally diagnosed at that time.
Other than hating shots, had no issues.
None.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- "This was out on a farm."
I would get the tetanus shot ASAP - like right now - you should not drive, however, for various reasons.
Ask for mercury-free, get ONLY the tetanus and not the other two things usually with it. You may have no choice, though. Still, I think it's very important to get the shot, regardless.
Be sure take some supportive measures now and afterward.
Tetanus can be fatal.
I am not one to get shots as I've had bad reactions but there were other variables at those times, too. And a flu shot is far different than a tetanus shot regarding the immediate effects if you did contract tetanus. It is nothing to take lightly, at all.
Were this to be me with a farm wound, I'd call a taxi if I had to and get that shot within the next 10 minutes, if possible. Really.
=================
I see it's probably after 5 pm in your time zone, so you may have to go to URGENT CARE.
Just a start to learning more but I'd call the clinic to alert them to prepare the shot for you and arrange your ride before reading this:
[ 07-30-2010, 05:52 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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IckyTicky
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Member # 21466
posted
I got one recently and have had no adverse reactions that I can tell. My LLMD okayed it. Normally I would say no.. but since this happened on a farm and you don't know what cut your finger..I'd say yes.
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- It does not necessarily matter what cut your finger as there are tetanus spores all over a farm, were likely on the ATV from the kicked up dust, and can travel in the air from the dust that was stirred up when the ATV hit the ground.
It also does not matter if the wound was cleaned as, if tetanus spores got into the wound, they would have gotten into your system before the wound was cleaned and dressed. Washing is good, of course, but it won't take care of everything. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Yes get the vaccine! I would get the TDaP version with Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis. I got it a couple years ago without any side effects.
My sister had a reaction to the DaPT (old version of Tetanus vaccine) when she was a baby but had no problem with the newer version TDaP.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
I got nailed by a rooster spurs a few days ago. Grrr. 2 inches worth. Yes I wondered if vac. was in order...I decided no.
It is a personal decision. I decided to watch for signs/symptoms and treat if needed.
If it happens I will run to the ER for treatment. I would not be suprised if we all didn't have it already anyway.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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lymielauren28
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13742
posted
After doing some research I decided no. On average 50 people per year in the U.S. get tetanus. You're 44 times more likely to get struck by lightening - that's how rare it is.
I too will watch for signs and symptoms. Thanks for all your input!!
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- You already tempted the odds, though, by getting farm dirt into a deep wound. It's just important to keep that part in mind.
Regarding those statistics, the number of people who are protected by tetanus shots can skew the odds.
The thing is, if tetanus has taken hold, once symptoms develop, there is a much greater risk of death. A shot will not work once symptoms have developed.
Now, you may be fine. The antibiotics that you got for this injury should help but there is not guarantee. It's important to know all the signs of tetanus so that if you develop ANY of those, you seek immediate medical attention - and don't drive yourself as the airway could shut down or your muscles could contract.
Hope this works out okay. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
I ain't dead yet how bout you LLauren??? In fact I am feeling better than I have in quite some time---How bout you???
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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'Kete-tracker
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17189
posted
Cut open to the bone, huh? On an unknown surface... down on the Farm!? YEeoow!!
Well... Assuming it's been cleaned up & stitched properly & you're on abx {?), you'll probably be O.K.
BUT... If you start having symptoms & it turns out to be tetanus, it'll be too late for The Shot, & you could be laid up in the hostpital for a good while... quite possibly forever, if you know what I mean. :-/
I bleeve the benefit clearly outweighs the risk here, esp. since you're healthy enough to be riding on an ATV. Get the shot... A.S.A.P. Tetanus only, as others have said.
Posts: 1233 | From Dover, NH | Registered: Sep 2008
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littlebit27
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24477
posted
I agree with what the others have said about getting the shot.
I'm lucky and was vaccinated when I had Lyme but didn't know it yet so I didn't get sick.
But I'm a scaredy cat and I'd rather get the shot and be a little sick from that then deathly ill from tetanus.
I agree with Keebler about the statistics...many people are vaccinated against it so that could mess up those results...
Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Question: How do we know if it is not because of vaccines we have a epidemic sweeping the nation?
Autism/Alzheimers/CFS/etc are not a direct result of being immunocompromised in the first place?
Is it possible the ketes have become more powerful because we have become weaker?
littlebit27 I hope you someone writing a book will finally include medical histories of those that have had the 70?-90? vaccines available in their lifetimes...
But I am very curious--as I know people who have never vaccinated for anything and test pos. for RMSF and Lyme yet they are doing a lot better than I as they are able to work/play even with this wicked disease.
This could be a big part of the equation and by eliminating the ridiculous ones at least for those who do vaccinate might help.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20664169 These data provide the first clear evidence, to our knowledge, that basophils play an essential and nonredundant role in antibody-mediated acquired immunity against ticks, which may suggest new strategies for controlling tick-borne diseases.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO2YXh0ajnk Good example of borrelia altering the immune system by at least 50% But on the other foot without the research--its like saying which came first-the chicken or the egg?
Can we trust the CDC to know whats best for us? I am not on a mission to deter from vaccines---that is a personal decision.
I am saying it may be a big part of the equation to get well....Esp. in concerns of immune modulating treatments that could be used to help.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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