I haven't gotten a tetanus shot in 20 years!
Is it really necessary? When was the last time you got a tetanus shot? Should I go get one?

It is recommended to have a tetanus shot every 5-10 years. If you have an injury from something that could be dangerous, they will give you one if it has been 5 years. If you don't have problems, it should be every 10.

Yes, you should get one

I hadn't had one in probably 20 years. A few months back, I got bit by a cat I was fostering and it became quite infected. The first question the doctor asked me was when I last had one - and he gave me one immediately!!!

If you are going to be at the Dr's, you may as well just get one and carry the card with you indicating that you've "had all your shots"

I think I was required to get one before going to college (so, seven years ago) and then again before starting my last job (about three years ago) so I'm all caught up. Tetanus is not something you want to deal with. Definitely get the shot.

I got a tetanus shot about 8 or 9 years ago. I'd had them before with no problems so I didn't think anything about getting one when one of the local hospitals sent a bus around our neighborhood giving them for free.

But within a couple hours of receiving the shot, my arm got red and warm and a little puffy at the injection site. For the next few days, my whole arm felt stiff and sore. I was sure I didn't tense up when they gave it- the nurse was joking and very gentle. So I figured it was an allergic reaction and haven't gotten a tetanus shot since. What options do people who have a reaction to the shot have?

Clare and Rakuchild - These sites discuss the Tetanus vaccine:
This site discusses the different types and the combinations with other vaccines. It's possible that you may have been given a combination, and reacted to one of the other vaccines.
This site discusses the necessity of the vaccine and reactions to it (about halfway down the page).
And this site discusses tetanus in depth, reactions, and (a little over halfway down the page) gives some alternative treatments to preventing infections from wounds. This site is a bit extreme on some points, but food for thought.

About 6 years ago, my doctor gave me a Tetanus booster after I got a nasty cut from kitchen shears. I didn't object because I knew I'd get good future use out of it.

I just got a tetanus shot last week. I fell from a step ladder into a glass table. The glass broke and I cut my finger and got two punctures in my thigh. When the doctor asked me when had I last gotten a tetanus shot, I said a long time ago, and he said well, today is your day to get one.

If you work with metal, wood, or anything else that can be sharp and dirty 6-8 years between tetanus is a good thing.

If you are a normal person who doesn't play around with sharp things, then 10 years is the best best.

tetanus shots are a preventative against Tetanus which is caused by a germ that enters the body through a cut or wound. Tetanus causes painful spasms of all the muscles. It can lead to lockjaw where you can't open your mouth or even swallow!

tetanus will be given in a course of other preventive shots, if you get a full schedule of shots (vaccines) most likely you got a tetanus shot at that time.

I would strongly urge anyone to schedule and keep track of their shots records. I have files on us here (including the animals) and I even take the time to check the files annually and mark on the calender when its time for one thing or the other.

Add to that a reminder of annual flu shots, the three year pneumonia shots, rabies vaccinations, feline leukemia, well you get the picture. I image if you have kids that you have to keep track of a lot more than that.

Cheers

David

Yes Clare, you should renew both your
tetanus shot and your dystemper booster .
I have not had the shot since leaving the
service in 1982, when I got the DTP booster
(Diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis)

Work makes me get more shots than I really want. I couldn't tell you how many times I have been TB tested because I didn't have any paperwork. I probably haven't had a tetanus shot in years, but lie about it. I get away with that one and a few others. They come after me with sharp objects every flu season. No way! I would rather risk the flu!!