Infection 5: Tetanus Immunization Status Portal

Table 1
Wound Classification^{^‡}

Clinial Features	Nontetatnus-prone Wounds	Tetanus-prone Wounds
Age of wound	< 6 hours	> 6 hours
Configuration	Linear wound, abrasion	Stellate wound, avulsion
Depth	< 1 cm	> 1 cm
Mechanism of injury	Sharp surface(eg, knife, glass)	Missile, crush, burnfrostbite
Signs of infection	Absent	Present
Devitalized tissue	Absent	Present
Contaminants (dirt, feces, soil, saliva, etc.)	Absent	Present
Denervated and/or Ischemic tissue	Absent	Present

Table 2
Summary of Tetanus Prophylaxis for the Injured Patient

For children younger than 7 years, DTP (DT, if pertussis vaccine is contraindicated) is preferred to tetanus toxoid alone. For persons 7 years and older, Td is preferred to tetanus toxoid alone.
If only three doses of fluid toxoid have been received, give a fourth dose of toxoid, preferable an adsorbed toxoid.
Td=Tetanus and diptheria toxoids adsorbed—for adult use.
TIG=Tetanus immune globulin—human. Dose is 250 units IM given at another site from Td.

Reference