Tetanus Shot

Find out HOW you actually get tetnus. Most people have NO idea, even the doctors giving the shots.

It is an anaerobic bacterium (meaning it can't live in an oxygenated environment) that has to get into a deep puncture wound, not just break the skin and doesn't bleed to push the bacterium out.

Tetanus occurs worldwide but is more common in hot, damp climates with soil rich with manure-treated soils, as the spores are widely distributed in the intestines and feces of many non-human animals such as horses, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, and chickens.

The rusty nail cause is somewhat misleading, but that's all people remember hearing.

I went to the health department to get a tetanus and they gave it to me for free. They said they get "grants" and can give out some for free for those high risk. Start with a phone call to the health department. If money isn't a problem, in our area, it would have been $45 for the shot without using insurance. I would get one sooner rather than later. I second calling your insurance for the numbers.

Ive stepped on rusty nails and have been snagged a few times. Never have gone down for the shot. I think if its more a gaping wound that required some stitches that's when I'd deem it necessary to go. If it was a puncture that bled right away, chances are any bacterium exited the wound the minute you bled..... that's why we bleed, to keep germs from coming in.

I would go out and get one today. Yes, it's not all that easy to catch tetanus as another poster does note, but why take the risk? Also, the shot is good for years so if you have another accident like this one, you're covered and have peace of mind you don't have right now. I cut myself in a pretty minor way on an old-fashioned paper cutter a few years back and went straight from there to get a shot, as I did after being clawed by an "outdoor cat" a decade earlier.

Your doctor may not be able to fit you in quickly, and if not, try an "urgent care" walk-in clinic or a "Minute Clinic" (The CVS pharmacy chain has these) -- some pharmacies give shots too. You may have to pay for it yourself and then file with insurance later, but when I had a tetanus shot just a few years ago at a walk-in clinic it wasn't that much, maybe $50 tops. You may end up just paying it out of pocket altogether, but tetanus is serious stuff, so I'd go ahead and deal with it and save yourself the worry you're currently experiencing.

are you sure you didnt get one while pregnant I did it was mandatory from my ob. I bet your current and dont realize it they are good for 10 yrs.

Well I see Jennifer's response and she has a point I guess but wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry? I would. I think I would contact my local health department for more information. They might give you a discount or even might do it for free like someone else mentioned on here. However if its a lot or more than you can afford right now try to contact the insurance provider and inform them of what happened and hopefully they can give the information in order to submit a claim to them via a doctor visit. They are also now including another along with tetanus-I can't remember what but the Urgent Care I went to gave me just the tetanus so be sure to ask them if that is the price for just "tetanus" but you might opt to get the other one depending on what the other vaccine is for. I want to say it was for whooping cough but I could be wrong and again could you do without it or is it best to get it-that's a question for a medical provider.

if it's a gash and requires stitches, i'd say get a tetnus shot, but only if it's a big injury

I've been snagged a dozen or more times by rusty nails, fence wire, etc. Rust does NOT carry tetanus unless it's been recently buried in the ground or manure. Tetanus can NOT survive in open air, because oxygen kills the bacterium.

It's a good idea to get tetanus boosters, but this is not an emergency.

Unfortunately, I am not much help on the on insurance end, but as far as the shot goes ... I wouldn't delay. I don't think people realize what a horrible disease tetanus is ... It is excrutiating everyday for the victim and once you have it, it is there for good. This isn't a money issue ... Go get the shot even if it means penny pinching for a while.
Best of luck!!

I'd find a way to do it if I were you.

I wouldn't wait more than three days and i would go to the health department.

Don't wait. Get it taken care of soon!

You're supposed to get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If you get cut by something dirty (not necessarily rusty), and it's been more than 5 years, they usually give you another one.
You really should get one. Go to your regular doctor, he will understand about the insurance, probably even call to verify coverage.
D.