ASK DR FRANZ

Q: if you get the tetanus vaccine after a concerning wound, it would take a few days to build up sufficient antibodies to fight the tetanus bacteria? Too long a time after the initial exposure to be of any use?

Ans: it takes minimum 2 weeks to build up antibodies.If you have a concerning wound then you have 3 days to get a tetanus shot. If you have never been vaccinated then you will also receive a shot of antibodies called TIG or tetanus immune globulin. This lasts two weeks to protect one from developing tetanus. The vaccine is given at the same time to  begin building antibodies- which takes two weeks…

Emergency medicine considers ANY wound a risk for tetanus. From a liability point of view that makes sense. From a common sense point of view it does not. Deep puncture wounds are the ones most at risk- the rusty nail in the foot or fish hook in the hand. There is a deep narrow entry wound with a slight bulbous end. The narrow tract will heal quickly, and the bulbous end does not, thus trapping the germ and allowing it to fester- which takes 2 weeks before you have symptoms. Flushing wounds reduces the risk – so a nice deep open wound is less risky. Dog bites do not need tetanus- they need antibiotics. Abraded wounds typically do not need tetanus shots. I have also seen cases where only the  TIG was received and the patient  did fine!

Good question. Thanks for asking.

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Dr Franz