This is not exactly a question - but I keep thinking about getting tetanus shots for self and DH... Haven't had one in years, hate pharmaceuticals. But Dr. Mendelsson (sp?) who was a good dr. who did not reccommend children getting regular immunizations, did reccommend tetanus shots. Anyone know how often adults can/should get them? Thaks - Pram

-- pramada (pram108@yahoo.com), December 14, 1999

Answers

Our dr. said boosters every 10 years. We got them.

-- Jill D. (jdance@mindspring.com), December 14, 1999.

I went to the local Health Clinic where the kids get their baby shots and got mine free. I had to pay for my flu shot. My DH and I also had the three hepatitus shots. I forgot the actual name of the vaccine.

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), December 14, 1999.

Tetanus boosters are usually recommended every 10 years. If you get an injury with a potential for tetanus exposure (such as stepping on a very old, very large, very rusty nail in a horse barn like I did this summer) you will probably be advised to get another shot even if the 10 years isn't up. Just in case.

-- Sam Mcgee (weissacre@gwtc.net), December 14, 1999.

Every 10 years is the correct answer. Got mine yesterday, with a flu shot for good measure. Ouch.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), December 14, 1999.

I just got mine yesterday. I haven't had one in 20 years (when I stepped on a nail). I spoke with the doc beforehand, and he said that all I needed was the booster.

You are supposed to get a booster every 10 years, and generally should get one if you have a bad enough cut and have to go to the hospital for it.

He also said that even though it was 20 years, all I needed was the booster (I went through the series of 3 shots as a child and had several boosters over the years). He said I didn't need to go through the series again.

Lockjaw is an unpleasant way to go, and even if you survive it (with treatment), you will be bedridden for quite a while afterwards. Now, if you had a bad reaction to the immunization in the past, I would speak with the doc on it, otherwise go for it. Currently, I just have a bit of a sore arm where the shot was.

I asked about the Hepatitis B shot. That is another series of 3 shots spread over a fairly long time. So I didn't go for that (kinda late). I hope it doesn't become an issue in the future though.

-- James Collins (jacollins@thegrid.net), December 14, 1999.

You should get your tetanus booster with diphtheria. As a doc, I give the "Adult DT" shot to folks every ten years. Diphtheria is seldom seen, but it is seen from time to time. It costs no more and hurts no more. The barnyard has lots of tetanus bugs present. The rusty nail should be changed to a horseshoe nail (with or without rust). It is the soil that is damp and makes the nail rusty. It is the soil that harbors the tetanus bacterium, aka Clostridium tetanii.

"Reactions" were common to tetanus SERUM which was made from horse serum. It was the horse serum component that was the really bad actor. Most tetanus shots are indeed given as "boosters" of the tetanus toxoid and not as anti-serum. So they tend to be safe, even if the arm hurts the next day. This week is a perfect time to get you

-- DoctorJim (doctorjim20852@yahoo.com), December 14, 1999.

You might want to reconsider the hep B vax - some people have sufficient protection (titer) after only 1 or 2 injections.

-- Kristi (securxsys@cs.com), December 16, 1999.

Please spend as much time researching the dangers of vaccinations as you have Y2K! There is much that doesn't meet the eye here - same corporations & government telling you no problem with Y2K are telling you no problem with vaccines. I've researched and taught on this issue for years now and as an RN will NEVER get another vaccine. Some of MOST DANGEROUS are Hepatitis B, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Pertussis (part of DPT) Check out these websites for more information: Well Within
Hepatitis B Vaccine Dangers< /A>
Vaccines & AutoImmunity
National Vaccine Information Center Vaccine Dangers including Hepatitis B
Vaccine Information & Awareness
Informed Parents Vaccination Home Page
The Biological Manipulation of Human Populations
Health World Online- Vaccine, Vaccination
Vaccine/Vaccination/Immunization Dangers Please, don't take this for granted...Remember we do have immune systems. Most of these diseases are extremely rare &/or not life-threatening!

-- Sheri (wncy2k@nccn.net), December 19, 1999.

SHERI:

You're young enough so that you never had a friend who died from tetanus (after getting a wood splinter in his knee sliding down a sliding pond in 1934.) Also, you're a good person, concerned about people's welfare; and you've posted much worthwhile info. I consider all of this when I make the following statement:

All adults should get a DT booster as recommended by 'DoctorJim.' When you include tetanus in 'Most of these diseases are extremely rare &/or not life-threatening!' many people will take you seriously because of your professional background. They will not be able to make the 'connect' that if Y2K is bad enough, much of what has not been life-threatening will now become just that.

You lurkers who've read many of my posts will recognize that I'm not part of the medical 'Establishment' -- please consider that in making your final judgment on DT boosters.

Bill

-- William J. Schenker, MD (wjs@linkfast.net), December 19, 1999.

Please get the shots.

-- && (&&@&&.&), December 20, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

For a completely different POV, check out my vaccination page.

-- (addy.available@my.webpage), March 22, 2000.