Can you get tetanus from the tetanus bacteria entering a wound from touching a pre-existing open wound? or does the bacteria enter the body if the contaminated object scratches/penetrates and creates its own wound? it has been 12 years since vaccine.

Basics: Tetanus is like most other bacteria in that it can establish an infection in any open wound. It differs in that the toxin that causes tetanus is made by the germs after they become established. If you roll around in dirt with an open wound expect many germs to invade it. If you keep wounds clean there is little chance of any infection or tetanus. Now would be a good time to get a T booster