Prevention of tetanus after injury

Tetanus is caused by a toxin made by bacteria that can enter damaged skin. Punctures, crush injuries, burns, wounds contaminated with soil or animal waste, and injuries containing foreign material deserve careful assessment. The risk cannot be judged by appearance alone, and a clean-looking wound may still need vaccination advice if immunisation is incomplete or uncertain.

Protection after injury depends on both the wound and your previous tetanus vaccinations. A clinician may recommend tetanus vaccination and, for some higher-risk situations, additional protective treatment.

Wash your hands, rinse the wound with clean running water, and gently remove visible dirt if it comes away easily. Cover it with a clean dressing and change the dressing if it becomes wet or dirty. Do not pour harsh chemicals into deep wounds or close a contaminated wound yourself. Contact a healthcare professional promptly with details of the injury and your vaccination record; do not wait until the wound becomes painful.

Seek same-day medical advice for a deep puncture, bite, burn, crush injury, heavily contaminated wound, or any injury from a dirty or rusty object when vaccination history is incomplete or unknown. Urgent care is needed for uncontrolled bleeding, loss of movement or sensation, a retained object, spreading redness, pus or fever. Jaw stiffness, painful muscle spasms or difficulty swallowing after an injury require emergency assessment.

Ask whether your wound needs closure or cleaning, whether your tetanus vaccinations are current, and whether a booster or additional protection is indicated for this injury.