Do adults have life-long protection against tetanus?

[healthanxietyquestion]

I have health anxiety and I worry a lot about cuts and contamination. I know I am being OTT which is why I am coming onto Mumsnet rather than asking anyone in real life. For some reason tetanus is one of my main things I am anxious about, no idea why.

Earlier I was holding something rusty and afterwards I noticed I have a small cut on my hand. It is just a tiny scratch. I'm not sure whether it was caused by the rusty item or something else. My anxiety is really spiraling thinking the rusty item cut me and I could get tetanus from it. I have washed it well with hot water and soap.

I am 26 and had all of my childhood vaccinations so probably had the 3-in-1 booster roughly 12 years ago. Will that booster provide life-long protection?

I am trying to be realistic thinking about how many times I fell over during childhood and probably got mud on scraped knees, how many times people cut themselves gardening or scrape against a nail on a fence or when using rusty tools, etc.

Sorry, I know my anxiety is really bad and this is a small thing to worry about. I never usually seek reassurance for my health anxiety worries but this is my main thing I worry about so I feel like I need someone to tell me I am being ridiculous...

If you've had the course of 5 jabs then that should cover you. It would have to be a deep dirty wound for there to be an issue.

My OH had a deep cut from gone wrong DIY (bored during lockdown project) with a rusty saw, he was given a booster jab. I think he said it was because his last jab was over 10 years ago. But this was deep cut which needed stitches.

Bloody bored man!

You're supposed to have a tetanus booster every ten years.

Every 10 years i believe

Yep, ten years. Over lockdown I fell down a manhole and did myself some damage on the rusty edge and the first thing they did when I got to minor injuries was to give me a tetanus booster, as I'm 35 and couldn't remember the last time I'd had one 🤷🏼‍♀️

And like PPs are saying - the injuries were bad enough to send me for medical attention; it wasn't just a graze, as it were.

No, you don't have to have a booster every 10 years any more as an adult, if you've had 5 doses over your life, but if you're not sure (and at 23, you might not have had 5,) you should check with your GP, though it doesn't sound like a majorly dirty cut.

Recent medical care we’ve had has suggested boosters are no longer necessary. I mean A&E drs.

Yes, as pp - i phoned up for my 10 year booster a few years ago and got a shocked “we do NOT do that anymore” from the receptionist. So apparently i’m covered for life on what i’ve already had.

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/do-i-need-a-tetanus-jab-vaccine-after-an-accident-or-injury/ says full course is 5 jabs. Doesnt say boosters are required