Does rust really cause tetanus?

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asked Apr 14, 2022 in Diseases Conditions by Niddletwin (3,380 points)
Does rust  really cause tetanus?

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answered Apr 17, 2022 by Christeenlia (29,300 points)
Rust does not really cause tetanus but the bacteria in rust can cause tetanus.

You get infected with tetanus when the rust or soil is contaminated with the tetanus causing bacteria.

If the rust does not have the bacteria then you won't get tetanus simply from the rust.

Rust itself does not cause tetanus.

However the way rust leads to and causes tetanus is when the rust has bacteria in it that causes tetanus.

If the rust does not have the tetanus bacteria then it won't cause tetanus.

Tetanus is a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani.

The bacteria make a toxin in your body that causes the disease.

Tetanus causes severe muscle spasms, especially in the neck and jaw (called lockjaw).

Around 1 in 10 people who get the disease will die from it.

You can get tetanus from scrapes although most commonly tetanus occurs from stepping on nails, cuts or other puncture wounds.

But tetanus can in rare cases infect someone through scrapes.

Signs you'll need a tetanus shot are if you have stepped on a nail, cut yourself on metal etc and have not had a tetanus shot within 10 years or at all.

Other signs you need a tetanus shot include the wound was caused by something that was dirty, and you haven't had a tetanus shot in over five years.

Or if you aren't sure if your wound was caused by something clean or dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than five years ago.

Tetanus shots are really necessary to prevent the possibility of getting infected with tetanus.

Although tetanus infections are rare tetanus can be easily caught through injuries such as stepping on a nail, scrapes, cuts, etc where the rust or metal, soil etc are laden with the tetanus bacteria.

However you can get by without a tetanus shot but if you do get cut or step on a nail then you should get a tetanus shot to be safe.

If you don't get a tetanus shot when you need one and you step on a nail, cut yourself or get a puncture wound etc that then gets contaminated with the tetanus infection bacteria then you can suffer from tetanus and if it's not treated then it can lead to lockjaw and death.

If you get a tetanus shot too soon after having one then nothing will usually happen other than you'll be slightly more protected against the tetanus infection.

You can get sick from a tetanus shot and some people experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea is considered a mild side effect of the Tdap vaccine.

If you do experience any sickness from a tetanus shot it's usually nothing serious and you should be sure to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid foods that could further upset your stomach.

If you get a tetanus shot twice it means that your body will be able to fight off any potential tetanus bacteria infection much better.

Most of the time, your risk of serious side effects does not increase if you get extra doses of a vaccine.

Getting extra doses of oral vaccines, such as rotavirus or typhoid, is not known to cause any problems.

Getting a tetanus booster too early usually causes not issues and doctors say it's safe to have a tetanus booster soon after your first tetanus shot.

After a tetanus shot it's best to avoid any strenuous activities or lifting with your arms and rest for at least the first day after the tetanus shot.

After that then you can return to your normal activities.

The tetanus shot is a a three-in-one vaccine that protects against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.

However, it doesn't provide lifelong protection.

Children need to get a booster shot at 11 or 12 years of age.

Adults then need a booster vaccine called the Td vaccine (for tetanus and diphtheria) every 10 years after that.

The side effects of a tetanus shot include.

Soreness, redness, or swelling at the site of the injection.
Fever.
Headache or body aches.
Fatigue.
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Loss of appetite.
Hives.
Pain in the arm where the tetanus shot was given.
Fussiness in babies and small children.

If you experience any of the following symptoms after the tetanus shot contact your doctor.

Hives.
Difficulty breathing.
Swelling of your face or throat.
Rapid heartbeat.
Dizziness.
Weakness.

You can get a tetanus shot at Walgreens as they administer more than the flu shot.

Walgreens not only offers the flu shot but also other vaccines including vaccines against pneumonia, polio, shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis).

A tetanus shot costs between $75.00 to $95.00 depending on where you get the tetanus vaccine from.

Insurance plans cover most vaccines, including the tetanus shot, so doctors can administer it at no extra cost to the person.

A tetanus shot is a vaccine that prevents the infection of a serious and sometimes fatal tetanus infection.

Tdap vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (for preteens, teens, and adults).

A tetanus injection is necessary if you get cut by iron if you haven't had a tetanus injection within 10 years.

Even if the iron is not rusty it could still have the tetanus bacteria on it so it's best to be safe and get the tetanus injection.

Tetanus is a serious issue and it can be fatal if you get it and don't get treated and prevention is better than getting it in the first place.

The first signs of tetanus include.

Jaw cramping.
Sudden, involuntary muscle tightening (muscle spasms) – often in the stomach.
Painful muscle stiffness all over the body.
Trouble swallowing.
Jerking or staring (seizures)
Headache.
Fever and sweating.
Changes in blood pressure and fast heart rate.

If you think you or someone is experience tetanus then seek medical attention and get to the emergency room right away as tetanus can be fatal if not treated in time.

Tetanus is an infection caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. When the bacteria invade the body, they produce a poison (toxin) that causes painful muscle contractions.

Another name for tetanus is “lockjaw”.

It often causes a person's neck and jaw muscles to lock, making it hard to open the mouth or swallow.

Tetanus causes painful muscle contractions, particularly in the jaw and neck.

It can interfere with the ability to breathe, eventually causing death.

The incubation period for tetanus which is the time from exposure to illness is usually between 3 and 21 days (average 10 days).

However, it may range from one day to several months, depending on the kind of wound.

Most cases occur within 14 days.

A tetanus infection requires emergency and long-term supportive care while the disease runs its course.

If tetanus does develop, seek hospital treatment immediately.

This includes wound care, a course of antibiotics, and an injection of tetanus antitoxin.

You may receive medications such as chlorpromazine or diazepam to control muscle spasms, or a short-acting barbiturate for sedation.

If you haven't had a tetanus shot within 10 years or at all then you should get a tetanus shot to prevent the tetanus infection.

Tetanus is caused by the bacteria in rust and soil and not the soil or rust itself.

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