You should get a tetanus shot every 10 years?
Yeah. Neither did I.
I was visiting my new doctor the other day to check into a serious chest cold I was battling when the subject of tetanus shots came up. When the doctor learned it had been about *cough* 20 years *cough* since my last shot, I was immediately escorted to a nurse who proceeded to stick a needle into my arm and then note my chart that I was now ‘current’.
While the nurse was administering the tetanus shot, I was told it would hurt for a couple of days, but honestly – I never really felt it (well, I didn’t feel it until Heuer went to hug me and pushed on the area), but otherwise, it really was no biggie. When I think about it, feeling the liquid enter my arm through the syringe affected me more than the shot itself did.
I am lucky to be able to get by 20 years without a tetanus shot, but I think it might be best for every one to get in and get this vaccine every 10 years *just in case*. With all the crazy stuff we come into contact with today, there is no excuse NOT to be prepared.
Forgot to mention …. most adult flu vaccines contain thimerosal. In fact, the last time I researched thimerosal was in the flu vaccines given to anyone older than age 2.
Kristie,
Since you’ve already had the shot it won’t apply, but for those who are now considering a tetanus shot or booster … ask for the mercury free (or thimerosal free) option. I think Tetanus is preserved with mercury or the derivative thimerosal. For children this is critical and I personally think it is pretty important for adults. I just found out that I have mercury hanging out in my spleen and well it does cross the blood brain barrier (which freaks me out) so I am drinking this stuff every darn day until it is gone! While people will say we all have mercury in our bodies — it is not supposed to be there so I am just being an advocate of ‘taking precautions’ when possible.
-Kristie
The vaccine also contains vaccine against whooping cough, pertussis, so you’ve now double protected yourself!