by Caroline Breeze

Created on: September 15, 2009   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

If you have any reason to believe that you have been exposed to the tetanus bacteria or you live and work in conditions were you can be exposed to it, then yes by all means, you do need a tetanus shot and should get one unless there are any medical contraindications (see bottom of article) for you to get one. It's better to be safe than sorry.

The tetanus shot that would be required if one is seeking one immediately following a wound is called tetanus immune globulin which is not actually the vaccine but a serum that has antibodies to help protect the subject from getting the disease. This provides only immediate temporary short-term protection is not, and should not be confused with the actual vaccine.

A tetanus shot as part of the vaccine, consists of the inactivated toxin, called a toxoid that is injected into the body as part of a vaccination schedule to stimulate the body's production of antibodies to prevent it from contracting the disease when a person is exposed to it. Since the toxin is inactivated, it cannot cause the disease in a person receiving the shot. Usually, it is combined with other vaccines such as Diphteria.

Even for adults wondering if they should a tetanus shot (vaccine), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) says: Everyone needs protection from tetanus. If you have not had a booster shot in 10 years or more, you should receive a tetanus shot. If you never had the initial childhood tetanus vaccines, you should receive a series of three tetanus shots.

For many people in many places, tetanus is usually associated with injuries caused by rusty nails, knives, jagged tin can lids, old rusty fences, or other rusted and old metals. It is also associated with kids who often manage to find the weirdest places to play and at times get hurt in their wonderful cool playground. Although this association is accurate, and one should immediately consider getting a tetanus shot if injured by any of the above, it is incomplete because the tetanus bacteria can be found in far more places than we may think.

The tetanus bacteria called Clostridium tetani bacteria, is found mostly in top soil, which means dirt, dust and dusty areas, such as the garden/yard and even indoors; in animal manure including dog, chicken and even human poop, because it can live inside the intestines of living mammals; and it can even be found on the surface of the skin, and the list goes on.

According to the Center for Disease Control,: Children can also get tetanus following severe burns,

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