A 37-year-old member asked:
Child has cut on the foot, is tetanus shot needed?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
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 the kid has had regular shots, s/he is probably already well protected.
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4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 10, 2013
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