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A member asked:
I had a very small minor cut about 1/4 inch from a rusty paper clip. a tiny piece of black dust got stuck in it overnight . do i need a tetanus shot?
5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Wound from Rast clip: If your last tetanus shot was 5 years ago, you're due for a booster. Good luck.
Answered 6/21/2015
2.7k views
A cut is a cut: Tetanus is possible when a cut on the skin is contaminated by tetanus spores that are all around us but predominantly in soils. It doesn't matter what made the cut if the exposure comes after the skin is open. The rusty nail is the classic source because it is on the ground to begin with when people step on it.If you've had a booster within 10 yrs you don't need one.
Answered 7/9/2015
2.7k views
Related Questions
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Am i still able to get tetanus if i got a small cut by a clean looking nail outside and my last tetanus shot was 4-5 years ago?
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