Urban Myth or Truth? Tetanus! Is it caused by being cut on a rusty blade, or bacteria

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bored2deth

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Feb 27, 2011
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Hey all!

I thought I'd chime in and drop a line to make you all pick up your thinking....knives! :-) Lol.

Tetanus...a dreaded condition to all of us knife-enthusiasts. How is it contracted? By being cut or punctured with a rusty knife....or bacteria found on the blade or otherwise getting into the wound? Dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!!
 
There are varying degrees of infection too. I've had patients come in with both mild and severe symptoms. not really sure if it has to do with the individual or the point of entry.
 
Does it have to be a rusty knife? Or more specifically, is the bacteria derived from rust?
 
alude904 said:
Does it have to be a rusty knife? Or more specifically, is the bacteria derived from rust?
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Per Wikipedia, as provided by Lucky:

Tetanus is caused by the tetanus bacterium Clostridium tetani. Tetanus is often associated with rust, especially rusty nails, but this concept is somewhat misleading. Objects that accumulate rust are often found outdoors, or in places that harbour anaerobic bacteria, but the rust itself does not cause tetanus nor does it contain more C. tetani bacteria. The rough surface of rusty metal merely provides a prime habitat for C. tetani endospores to reside in, and the nail affords a means to puncture skin and deliver endospores deep within the body at the site of the wound.
 
Street Samurai1978 said:
There are varying degrees of infection too. I've had patients come in with both mild and severe symptoms. not really sure if it has to do with the individual or the point of entry.
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Would it have anything to do with the immune system? Maybe depth of cut or puncture? It would seem to me, that if the cut or puncture were deep enough, there would be a greater chance of it taking effect...deeper means hotter and wetter...much like a swamp (bacteria breeds in hot wet conditions).
 
bored2deth said:
It would seem to me, that if the cut or puncture were deep enough, there would be a greater chance of it taking effect...deeper means hotter and wetter...much like a swamp (bacteria breeds in hot wet conditions).
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A deeper wound makes it easier for the bacteria to enter the bloodstream. It has nothing to do with swamps, that is a terrible simile. Swamps breed more bacteria because the water is very slow moving and filled with massive levels of decomposing organic matter.
 
I must be lucky.

when I was young I jumped over a fence and landed on a 2x4 with rusty nails and went through my left foot and never treated it. (Other than soap rinse,was terrified to tell parents)
 
HwangJino said:
I must be lucky.

when I was young I jumped over a fence and landed on a 2x4 with rusty nails and went through my left foot and never treated it. (Other than soap rinse,was terrified to tell parents)
Click to expand...

Yeah that hurts a bit. I did the same thing and was trying to get up to the house with a 2X4 attached to my foot.
 
One needs to watch where they step and walk. Just like watching for the unexpected snake, you watch for other potentially hazardous obstacles.

I probably need my tetanus shot updated. They always say when you can't remember when you last had the shot, it's time for another.
 
About 2 years ago, I ended up stabbing thepoint of a very sharp knife into the knuckle of my finger. The swelling and pain was off the charts. It absolutely hit bone and with force. I never did get a Tetanus shot, but on occassion, my knuckle gets tender, pain, and some mild inflammation occurs. I uess it's time for me to go get a shot, it's been at least 16 years. :(
 
man, I tell ya, if I was in a rural setting and got cut with barbed wire or stepped on a nail, yeah, I'd be cautious in treatment, and was when those things occurred. Paring an apple and cutting myself? regardless of rust, I'd have no concern.
I got injured during Sandy, falling in the street, and the doc in emergency thought I needed a booster because I had an open wound on my knee. Pants material wasn't torn. I did ask seriously what in the world he was thinking? "It's best to be safe in these matters." Yeah, I see the point, we do have horse and buggy in nearby communities. Some horse poop gets in the tread of my vehicles, and I spread disease across the state. I no longer remember what I am even rambling about! Right, tetanus, seems to be more preventative action than reactive.
 
Open and deep wounds are easy targets for opportunistic infections.

Some rules of thumb:

1. Assess the nature/structure of the wound.

2. Clean with running water and soap if possible.

3. Apply the appropriate First Aid treatment.

4. Seek medical attention.
 
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Really I couldn't imagine my muscle seizing until they tear, lockjaw so tight you break teeth and cant eat. That would be one horrific way to go. If your heart didn't spastically fail first. Tetanus= serious shit, clean your wounds up good. The doctors often recommend getting another shot even if you are up to date if an incident occurs where tetanus might be present
 
I have only seen 2 cases of clinical tetanus in my career. Both elderly people with diabetic leg ulcers and decades since last immunization

Nail wounds through shoes there is a risk of pseudomonas infections

Common skin flora (.ie staph , strep) more likely cause of any skin infection from a wound
 
i've managed to cut myself with a knife and the doctor asked me if the knife was used to cut meat (it wasn't,except me :) ), but anyway, he gave me one shot. he told me that it's good for 5 years :)
 
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