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Has anyone had a tetanus booster shot, and lived to tell the tale? I had to challenge my immune system in any way at all, but I am a year-plus past the 10-year 'expiration date' of my last tetanus shot. I do work in gardens, and it's a soil-borne ailment, so I think I have to care - much as I try to avoid puncture wounds, as a general practice ;)
Thanks for thoughts,
Sara
Tetanus shots...
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MaggieRedwings
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- Posts: 3865
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Thanks so much for the speedy answers. Last time I had the shot, it was on vacation in an emergency setting, and that added a whole layer of unnecessary stress...
When I teach 'spring garden maintenance' I also mention maintaining the gardener, including making sure tetanus shots are up to date, and I can tell by the polite blank smiles that not one person really intends to follow up. But I say it anyway. I think it's potentially even more dangerous nowadays, because less likely to be diagnosed - at least in this urban environment.
Love,
Sara
When I teach 'spring garden maintenance' I also mention maintaining the gardener, including making sure tetanus shots are up to date, and I can tell by the polite blank smiles that not one person really intends to follow up. But I say it anyway. I think it's potentially even more dangerous nowadays, because less likely to be diagnosed - at least in this urban environment.
Love,
Sara
Sara,
Personally, I do try to keep up with those boosters. You just never know.
Last booster I got 6 or 7 years ago was a DT, not the usual DPT. I asked when they gave it -- "What about the P, why is that not part of the combo any longer?" I've always had that. (i.e. The P stands for Pertussis, or whooping cough)Was told by the little gal who gave the injection that "the pertussis component just wasn't being included any longer". I later asked the Doc, got similar, but of course more detailed answer. Hummmm .... well OK.
The long and the short of my story in this regard is that 3 years ago, you guess it -- I got Whooping Cough. Now if a person ever really wants to be exquisitely miserable for 3-4 months, coughing virtually non-stop, drinking codeine cough syrup like water, feeling like you are going to break every bone in your chest, or better still, burst a vessel in their brain etc. etc. .. try whooping cough.
Incidentally, my major symptom of MC started while I was in major coughing mode with the WC. Believe it when I say-- MC's diarrhea and WC's harsh coughing are NOT a good combination.
But while whooping cough for an adult is just a really miserable event, whooping cough in small children, with their small airways can be lethal. Pertussis is highly contagious -- an infected adult can easily spread this infection to children without knowing it. This makes it a considerable (public health) danger.
I believe that in the intervening years, the P component has been added back and it's now again usually administered as DPT, as (like me) a fair amount of adults were getting this disease for a while.
FWIW -- I'd say stay current with T, and make sure the P is included.
CHAO,
Gayle
Personally, I do try to keep up with those boosters. You just never know.
Last booster I got 6 or 7 years ago was a DT, not the usual DPT. I asked when they gave it -- "What about the P, why is that not part of the combo any longer?" I've always had that. (i.e. The P stands for Pertussis, or whooping cough)Was told by the little gal who gave the injection that "the pertussis component just wasn't being included any longer". I later asked the Doc, got similar, but of course more detailed answer. Hummmm .... well OK.
The long and the short of my story in this regard is that 3 years ago, you guess it -- I got Whooping Cough. Now if a person ever really wants to be exquisitely miserable for 3-4 months, coughing virtually non-stop, drinking codeine cough syrup like water, feeling like you are going to break every bone in your chest, or better still, burst a vessel in their brain etc. etc. .. try whooping cough.
Incidentally, my major symptom of MC started while I was in major coughing mode with the WC. Believe it when I say-- MC's diarrhea and WC's harsh coughing are NOT a good combination.
But while whooping cough for an adult is just a really miserable event, whooping cough in small children, with their small airways can be lethal. Pertussis is highly contagious -- an infected adult can easily spread this infection to children without knowing it. This makes it a considerable (public health) danger.
I believe that in the intervening years, the P component has been added back and it's now again usually administered as DPT, as (like me) a fair amount of adults were getting this disease for a while.
FWIW -- I'd say stay current with T, and make sure the P is included.
CHAO,
Gayle
WOW, Gayle, that does sound awful. I had pneumonia in '94, and have never been so sick (that was pre-MC - I have since been sicker, but thankfully not with those two varieties of misery at once). I strained muscles in my back from coughing, it took months to heal. I know what you mean about feeling your head could explode from coughing.
I had forgotten that tetanus was a combo vax - I wonder whether I had DPT or just DT back in 2000. I shall follow up with my PCP - thanks for the nudge about the composition of the vax.
YIKES, let's all stay well!
Sara
I had forgotten that tetanus was a combo vax - I wonder whether I had DPT or just DT back in 2000. I shall follow up with my PCP - thanks for the nudge about the composition of the vax.
YIKES, let's all stay well!
Sara
Well, you're all making me feel guilty. The last tetanus shot I had was in 5th grade. It hurt my arm so much, I never had another. A fellow classmate punched me in the arm after I'd had it, too. I work in the soil a lot with my gardening, too. Maybe I need to have it done.
Gloria
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Gloria,
Seems like you haven't done so badly, all these years since 5th grade, avoiding puncture wounds!
...so here's the flip-side to ponder: maybe you don't need to put yourself through this - until you do. Just messing around in the soil like the good gardener I know you are - that will not result in tetanus. It's contracted as a result of a "deep and dirty" wound. So a scratch that gets dirt in it (how do I get those, under my garden gloves?) is not considered to be a concern, where a true puncture is a risk.
I recommend avoiding the puncture wounds, and it sounds as though you're doing a great job so far! And wearing good gloves and decent shoes ('cute' garden clogs are fine, unless you're the type who enjoys stamping down hard on annoying branches to break 'em for stacking or tossing). One of the best gardeners I know had both a puncture from branch-stomping, and a no-gloves puncture, within the same year. Her sister's a doctor (and she was visiting that area at the time), so she was re-tetanus-vaxed in no time, and now wears good shoes and gloves at all times!
If, heaven forbid, something happens to put you at tetanus risk, you should get vaccinated. But it sounds to me as though you reacted noticeably *back then* (maybe to the egg they used to use in vaccines??), so you might be at 'somewhat' elevated risk to react now that your MC and possible mast cell issues are in effect - even if the vax itself has been reformulated.
My injury in 2000 was a dog bite - another dog charged my dog on the beach, and I put my hands out like a traffic cop. Very foolish move! It would have worked like a charm on *my* dog, but I don't know if this dog even saw me when he bit.
I'm truly not advising you against it, just suggesting you don't need to be persuaded you absolutely must have it, any time soon... I know you said maybe, and I have enormous confidence in your thinking. I wish you had punched that classmate back. I'm betting you did not
Fondly,
Sara
Seems like you haven't done so badly, all these years since 5th grade, avoiding puncture wounds!
...so here's the flip-side to ponder: maybe you don't need to put yourself through this - until you do. Just messing around in the soil like the good gardener I know you are - that will not result in tetanus. It's contracted as a result of a "deep and dirty" wound. So a scratch that gets dirt in it (how do I get those, under my garden gloves?) is not considered to be a concern, where a true puncture is a risk.
I recommend avoiding the puncture wounds, and it sounds as though you're doing a great job so far! And wearing good gloves and decent shoes ('cute' garden clogs are fine, unless you're the type who enjoys stamping down hard on annoying branches to break 'em for stacking or tossing). One of the best gardeners I know had both a puncture from branch-stomping, and a no-gloves puncture, within the same year. Her sister's a doctor (and she was visiting that area at the time), so she was re-tetanus-vaxed in no time, and now wears good shoes and gloves at all times!
If, heaven forbid, something happens to put you at tetanus risk, you should get vaccinated. But it sounds to me as though you reacted noticeably *back then* (maybe to the egg they used to use in vaccines??), so you might be at 'somewhat' elevated risk to react now that your MC and possible mast cell issues are in effect - even if the vax itself has been reformulated.
My injury in 2000 was a dog bite - another dog charged my dog on the beach, and I put my hands out like a traffic cop. Very foolish move! It would have worked like a charm on *my* dog, but I don't know if this dog even saw me when he bit.
I'm truly not advising you against it, just suggesting you don't need to be persuaded you absolutely must have it, any time soon... I know you said maybe, and I have enormous confidence in your thinking. I wish you had punched that classmate back. I'm betting you did not
Fondly,
Sara
Hi Sara and All,
I have had a healthy respect for any immunization, since over 10 years ago when I had a reaction to a tetanus booster - several days of lumpy hives, itching, and general malaise. It turned out the dates were wrong and it had only been 7 years since the previous shot. Coincidentally, this event occured just before the onset of my MC. I also do not get flu shots (but of course, I do not recommend that others do as I do). I know that Mary Beth feels similarly to me about immunizations.
You are correct that tetanus boosters are recommended every 10 years. That said, it is likely that one could actually go longer between shots.
There is a way to check to see if you really need that booster now. Ask your doc to draw a titer to see if you still have adequate protection from tetanus. If so, you can delay the shot.
Hugs,
Polly
I have had a healthy respect for any immunization, since over 10 years ago when I had a reaction to a tetanus booster - several days of lumpy hives, itching, and general malaise. It turned out the dates were wrong and it had only been 7 years since the previous shot. Coincidentally, this event occured just before the onset of my MC. I also do not get flu shots (but of course, I do not recommend that others do as I do). I know that Mary Beth feels similarly to me about immunizations.
You are correct that tetanus boosters are recommended every 10 years. That said, it is likely that one could actually go longer between shots.
There is a way to check to see if you really need that booster now. Ask your doc to draw a titer to see if you still have adequate protection from tetanus. If so, you can delay the shot.
Hugs,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Polly,
Thank you so much for this. I'm embarrassed to say, I would have thought of this *for my dog* but somehow for gotten that drawing titers would be an option for this other sort of mammal...
This feels like a better option - and then I'll have at least some idea of my immune status w/regard to tetanus.
I've updated my notes for my appointment - and thanks again!
Love,
Sara
Thank you so much for this. I'm embarrassed to say, I would have thought of this *for my dog* but somehow for gotten that drawing titers would be an option for this other sort of mammal...
This feels like a better option - and then I'll have at least some idea of my immune status w/regard to tetanus.
I've updated my notes for my appointment - and thanks again!
Love,
Sara
FWIW, when I had my last booster shot, it had probably been 20 or more years, since the previous one. 
Love,
Tex
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Polly,
You are correct about my fear of vaccines. My new allergist told me if I ever need to get one that I need to have it in his office in case of a bad reaction. For now I am choosing to live life on the edge.
Mary Beth
You are correct about my fear of vaccines. My new allergist told me if I ever need to get one that I need to have it in his office in case of a bad reaction. For now I am choosing to live life on the edge.
Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
I had my last tetanus shot 4 years ago, in a cocktail of diphtheria pertussis tetanus and polio. I had a reaction of my immune system on it, that lasted for almost two weeks (mild fever, a flu feeling, upset bowels). Of course I could be something else than just the tetanus.
Also at the same time a my first vaccination for hepatitis A, one year later I had the second one, I was afraid for a reaction again, but nothing. So I think it must be something out of that tetanus cocktail.
Although there is nowadays a tendency of talking negative about vaccination programs (and a critical attitude is never a wrong thing). I don't what to believe of this information and what not. I draw the line, I take vaccinations for things I can dye of like tetanus or polio (well you won't dye but will get handicapted) but for the flu I will pass.
Also at the same time a my first vaccination for hepatitis A, one year later I had the second one, I was afraid for a reaction again, but nothing. So I think it must be something out of that tetanus cocktail.
Although there is nowadays a tendency of talking negative about vaccination programs (and a critical attitude is never a wrong thing). I don't what to believe of this information and what not. I draw the line, I take vaccinations for things I can dye of like tetanus or polio (well you won't dye but will get handicapted) but for the flu I will pass.
"As the sense of identity shifts from the imaginary person to your real being as presence awareness, the life of suffering dissolves like mist before the rising sun"