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Tetanus jabs?

FireFire Posts: 19,096
in The potting shed
Pretty much every day, for much of the year, I am scratched, jabbed, spiked, cut or impaled by something in the garden; I can't seem to put the compost out with being attacked by a chair, a rose or a random piece of wire hanging from an archway. I have had some very nasty, rusty gashes over the years but never thought to have a tetanus jab, I guess partly because garden cuts are such a daily occurance.

Tetanus bacteria is most commonly found in soil. The condition is rare but serious. The vaccine needs to be administered every ten years (possibly less these days), but GPs etc never seem to mention it...
Is this a grand oversight?



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Posts

  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    It’s funny I was trying to work out when I had my last tetanus jab. 

    My online medical records only go back as far as 2007 and it’s not on there so I reckon I’m well overdue. 

    Over the last few months I’ve had more cuts and scratches then ever before. 

    I really should get a jab booked. Can I just ring up and say “I need a tetanus jab please”? I imagine there will be forms to fill in to assess my eligibility and risk but perhaps tetanus is old school. 

    You barely hear anyone talking about it these days. I remember being paranoid as a child that I’d get lockjaw if I got soil under my nails! 

    I’m waffling. Is that a symptom?
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I think I'm probably due for a booster by now, I think my last one was around 2010. I don't think my risk is too high at the moment though so it can probably wait until this covid thing calms down a bit.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited July 2021
    I seemed to have tenatus jabs every other week at school when I was bitten by a mouse or a vole.

    " Can I just ring up and say “I need a tetanus jab please”?"

    For sure.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’ve had a tetanus jab every ten years throughout my life … I would mention it to the GP during a visit and he or she would stick a needle in my arm. No fuss. 
    Then about ten years ago when I asked, I was told that after so many jabs I would have built up an immunity and the only time    I would need one now would be if I had an injury that needed medical attention. Is that correct?  I trust my doctor with other stuff so … 🤷‍♀️ 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Having seen a few cases ( and deaths ) from Tetanus, I religiously have repeat jabs every 10 years plus each time I have travelled to far off places.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    Interesting. I have also been told that at my advanced age, I won’t need boosters any more as I would have built up enough immunity. 
    I think I had a booster within the last ten years though. Rescuing an ungrateful squirrel with its foot trapped in a bird feeder, it managed to get its teeth through my welding gloves. Had a precautionary course of antibiotics too.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    I've had the same advice as you, @Dovefromabove
    I was bitten by a dog 3 or 4 years ago and had to go to the MIU to get it dressed properly because it didn't stop bleeding. They gave me the option to have antibiotics but when I mentioned my last tetanus jab was probably 20 years ago they said I didn't need it. "If you've had a few jabs in your life you'll be immune now.". 

    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I had one at the end of February this year. Something related to sledgehammer impact. :'(
    Devon.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Hostafan1 said:
    I had one at the end of February this year. Something related to sledgehammer impact. :'(
    Wasn't it more to do with a rainwater butt? 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    The tetanus jab was administered prior to the water butt confession.
    Devon.
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