Announcements
Read Dr Moser's Family Webicine blog - The (Unwanted) Gift of Gag | Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) | Ear Infection Health Center | Cold & Flu Health Center | Itchy Ears FAQS | Ear Anatomy | Sinus Anatomy
Includes Expert Content
Tetanus question
pleasehelpme87 posted:
Hi Dr. Moser, I have a question about tetanus and the tetanus shot called Adacel. On June 30, 2012, I have come into contact with a metal object that had some rust on it (noticed after I picked it up because it was on the bottom of the object that was painted black). The object did not cut me, but I did have some torn skin on my pinky finger (from pulling off a hangnail). It had been about nine to ten years since my last tetanus shot. I got the shot called Adacel the next day on July 1, 2012. I have had a sore hard feeling lump on my arm since I got the injection (this is decreasing as time goes on). [br>[br>1. I have also noticed my upper eyelid twitching on and off for about three days now (happened on the day of injection, after getting it), should this be very alarming, symptom of tetanus or vaccine reaction?
2.Some twitching today on my arm (where injected), bottom of foot, left pectoral, and right eyelid.
2. Some mild lower back (kidney area) pain yesterday, should this be alarming, symptom of tetanus or vaccine reaction?[br>[br>3. How long does it take the body to get back to normal after a tetanus shot (like how it takes the body seven to ten days to fight off a cold, antibody production time)?[br>[br>The twitching and lower back pain concern me if something could be going on? The vaccine has some pretty bad side effects listed like Gullain barre and seizures. Do you have any thoughts, ideas or recommendations? Thank you.
2.Some twitching today on my arm (where injected), bottom of foot, left pectoral, and right eyelid.
2. Some mild lower back (kidney area) pain yesterday, should this be alarming, symptom of tetanus or vaccine reaction?[br>[br>3. How long does it take the body to get back to normal after a tetanus shot (like how it takes the body seven to ten days to fight off a cold, antibody production time)?[br>[br>The twitching and lower back pain concern me if something could be going on? The vaccine has some pretty bad side effects listed like Gullain barre and seizures. Do you have any thoughts, ideas or recommendations? Thank you.
4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Tetanus questionHi Dr. Moser, I have a question about tetanus and the tetanus shot called Adacel. On June 30, 2012, I have come into contact with a metal object that had some rust on it (noticed after I picked it up because it was on the bottom of the object that was painted black). The object did not cut me, but I did have some torn skin on my pinky finger (from pulling off a hangnail). It had been about nine to ten years since my last tetanus shot. I got the shot called Adacel the next day on July 1, 2012. I have had a sore hard feeling lump on my arm since I got the injection (this is decreasing as time goes on). [br>[br>1. I have also noticed my upper eyelid twitching on and off for about three days now (happened on the day of injection, after getting it), should this be very alarming, symptom of tetanus or vaccine reaction?<br /><br />2.Some twitching today on my arm (where injected), bottom of foot, left pectoral, and right eyelid. <br />2. Some mild lower back (kidney area) pain yesterday, should this be alarming, symptom of tetanus or vaccine reaction?[br>[br>3. How long does it take the body to get back to normal after a tetanus shot (like how it takes the body seven to ten days to fight off a cold, antibody production time)?[br>[br>The twitching and lower back pain concern me if something could be going on? The vaccine has some pretty bad side effects listed like Gullain barre and seizures. Do you have any thoughts, ideas or recommendations? Thank you.<br />
pleasehelpme87 responded:
I am not sure why my above message turned out weird, but I will repost it here, dismiss the first message please.
Hi Dr. Borucki, I have a question about tetanus and the tetanus shot called Adacel. On June 30, 2012, I have come into contact with a metal object that had some rust on it (noticed after I picked it up because it was on the bottom of the object that was painted black). The object did not cut me, but I did have some torn skin on my pinky finger (from pulling off a hangnail). It had been about nine to ten years since my last tetanus shot. I got the shot called Adacel the next day on July 1, 2012. I have had a sore hard feeling lump on my arm since I got the injection. [br>
1. I have also noticed my upper eyelid twitching on and off for about three days now, should this be very alarming, symptom of tetanus or vaccine reaction?[br>
2. Some mild lower back (kidney area) pain today, should this be alarming, symptom of tetanus or vaccine reaction?[br>
3. How long does it take the body to get back to normal after a tetanus shot (fighting off the injected solution, immune system wise like fighting off a cold)?
4. Some twitching today on my arm (where injected), bottom of foot, left pectoral, and right eyelid.
The twitching and lower back pain concern me if something could be going on? The vaccine has some pretty bad side effects listed like Gullain barre and seizures. Do you have any thoughts, ideas or recommendations? Thank you.
Hi Dr. Borucki, I have a question about tetanus and the tetanus shot called Adacel. On June 30, 2012, I have come into contact with a metal object that had some rust on it (noticed after I picked it up because it was on the bottom of the object that was painted black). The object did not cut me, but I did have some torn skin on my pinky finger (from pulling off a hangnail). It had been about nine to ten years since my last tetanus shot. I got the shot called Adacel the next day on July 1, 2012. I have had a sore hard feeling lump on my arm since I got the injection. [br>
1. I have also noticed my upper eyelid twitching on and off for about three days now, should this be very alarming, symptom of tetanus or vaccine reaction?[br>
2. Some mild lower back (kidney area) pain today, should this be alarming, symptom of tetanus or vaccine reaction?[br>
3. How long does it take the body to get back to normal after a tetanus shot (fighting off the injected solution, immune system wise like fighting off a cold)?
4. Some twitching today on my arm (where injected), bottom of foot, left pectoral, and right eyelid.
The twitching and lower back pain concern me if something could be going on? The vaccine has some pretty bad side effects listed like Gullain barre and seizures. Do you have any thoughts, ideas or recommendations? Thank you.
Report This| Share this:Tetanus questionI am not sure why my above message turned out weird, but I will repost it here, dismiss the first message please. <br /><br /><br />Hi Dr. Borucki, I have a question about tetanus and the tetanus shot called Adacel. On June 30, 2012, I have come into contact with a metal object that had some rust on it (noticed after I picked it up because it was on the bottom of the object that was painted black). The object did not cut me, but I did have some torn skin on my pinky finger (from pulling off a hangnail). It had been about nine to ten years since my last tetanus shot. I got the shot called Adacel the next day on July 1, 2012. I have had a sore hard feeling lump on my arm since I got the injection. [br><br /><br />1. I have also noticed my upper eyelid twitching on and off for about three days now, should this be very alarming, symptom of tetanus or vaccine reaction?[br><br /><br />2. Some mild lower back (kidney area) pain today, should this be alarming, symptom of tetanus or vaccine reaction?[br><br /><br />3. How long does it take the body to get back to normal after a tetanus shot (fighting off the injected solution, immune system wise like fighting off a cold)?<br /><br /><br />4. Some twitching today on my arm (where injected), bottom of foot, left pectoral, and right eyelid.<br /><br /><br />The twitching and lower back pain concern me if something could be going on? The vaccine has some pretty bad side effects listed like Gullain barre and seizures. Do you have any thoughts, ideas or recommendations? Thank you.<br />
I am not Dr. Boruki.....
Adacel is a very safe vaccine....zillions are administered every year, and so far, I have no seen a vaccine-related event like you are describing in my clinical practice. The two vaccine components (tetanus and diphtheria) are killed vaccines and again, very safe. This is not to assume that you are not that very rare person who is having a reaction, I just can't make that call.
Tetanus shots have always had a reputation of causing a sore arm, which usually resolves in a few days. That "lump" may be a pocket of blood as the needle passed through a few minor blood vessels. This happens quite often. This hematoma should resolve in time.
Assuming the shot was given correctly, there should not be any local nerve reactions. The reactions your are describing, such as your eye twitching, your low back, and extremities will require a hands-on examination. I would not just assume that this is a vaccine reaction, or Guillian-Barre, but if your symptoms persist, you will need to have a hands-on examination. There is really no way for me to blindly make a patient-specific determination regarding the significance of your symptoms over the Internet. Those symptoms are unusual.
Adacel is a very safe vaccine....zillions are administered every year, and so far, I have no seen a vaccine-related event like you are describing in my clinical practice. The two vaccine components (tetanus and diphtheria) are killed vaccines and again, very safe. This is not to assume that you are not that very rare person who is having a reaction, I just can't make that call.
Tetanus shots have always had a reputation of causing a sore arm, which usually resolves in a few days. That "lump" may be a pocket of blood as the needle passed through a few minor blood vessels. This happens quite often. This hematoma should resolve in time.
Assuming the shot was given correctly, there should not be any local nerve reactions. The reactions your are describing, such as your eye twitching, your low back, and extremities will require a hands-on examination. I would not just assume that this is a vaccine reaction, or Guillian-Barre, but if your symptoms persist, you will need to have a hands-on examination. There is really no way for me to blindly make a patient-specific determination regarding the significance of your symptoms over the Internet. Those symptoms are unusual.
Report This| Share this:Tetanus questionI am not Dr. Boruki.....<br /> <br />Adacel is a very safe vaccine....zillions are administered every year, and so far, I have no seen a vaccine-related event like you are describing in my clinical practice. The two vaccine components (tetanus and diphtheria) are killed vaccines and again, very safe. This is not to assume that you are not that very rare person who is having a reaction, I just can't make that call.<br /> <br />Tetanus shots have always had a reputation of causing a sore arm, which usually resolves in a few days. That "lump" may be a pocket of blood as the needle passed through a few minor blood vessels. This happens quite often. This hematoma should resolve in time.<br /> <br />Assuming the shot was given correctly, there should not be any local nerve reactions. The reactions your are describing, such as your eye twitching, your low back, and extremities will require a hands-on examination. I would not just assume that this is a vaccine reaction, or Guillian-Barre, but if your symptoms persist, you will need to have a hands-on examination. There is really no way for me to blindly make a patient-specific determination regarding the significance of your symptoms over the Internet. Those symptoms are unusual.
pleasehelpme87 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Hi Dr. Moser, thank you for your message. In my first message (the one that posted with errors), I had your name, I probably wrote another doctor's name in my confusion and worry.
I went to the doctor today, and had an examination (eyes, limb strength, knee relfex, walking), he said it looks like a minor reaction to the vaccine. I would not be too concerned about getting a vaccine, if it were not for the eye twitch that happened after the vaccine on the same day and has been happening on and off to today.
The doctor said this might take about two to three weeks to recover from. After further questioning the doctor, the doctor said if twitches get worse or if there is limb numbness, then got to the doctor or hospital, but that I should not stress too much into thinking it could or will happen. I am thinking I should not have even got the vaccine now (I have had in the past got the tetanus vaccine, hep a hep b vaccine, typhoid vaccine, oral travellers vaccine, baby vaccines before, so I thought this would be rational). Now I am worrying that I could get Guillain Barre Syndrome. Do you have any other thoughts or ideas? Thank you.
I went to the doctor today, and had an examination (eyes, limb strength, knee relfex, walking), he said it looks like a minor reaction to the vaccine. I would not be too concerned about getting a vaccine, if it were not for the eye twitch that happened after the vaccine on the same day and has been happening on and off to today.
The doctor said this might take about two to three weeks to recover from. After further questioning the doctor, the doctor said if twitches get worse or if there is limb numbness, then got to the doctor or hospital, but that I should not stress too much into thinking it could or will happen. I am thinking I should not have even got the vaccine now (I have had in the past got the tetanus vaccine, hep a hep b vaccine, typhoid vaccine, oral travellers vaccine, baby vaccines before, so I thought this would be rational). Now I am worrying that I could get Guillain Barre Syndrome. Do you have any other thoughts or ideas? Thank you.
Report This| Share this:Tetanus questionHi Dr. Moser, thank you for your message. In my first message (the one that posted with errors), I had your name, I probably wrote another doctor's name in my confusion and worry. <br /><br />I went to the doctor today, and had an examination (eyes, limb strength, knee relfex, walking), he said it looks like a minor reaction to the vaccine. I would not be too concerned about getting a vaccine, if it were not for the eye twitch that happened after the vaccine on the same day and has been happening on and off to today. <br /><br />The doctor said this might take about two to three weeks to recover from. After further questioning the doctor, the doctor said if twitches get worse or if there is limb numbness, then got to the doctor or hospital, but that I should not stress too much into thinking it could or will happen. I am thinking I should not have even got the vaccine now (I have had in the past got the tetanus vaccine, hep a hep b vaccine, typhoid vaccine, oral travellers vaccine, baby vaccines before, so I thought this would be rational). Now I am worrying that I could get Guillain Barre Syndrome. Do you have any other thoughts or ideas? Thank you.
I am sure you have read about Guillian-Barre. Your doctor would have made the diagnosis if this was case, and this is why he mentioned limb numbness. I have seen random eye twitching many times in my clinical years --- and, none have been Guillian-Barre.
I really do not have any further advice or comments, other than to just wait and see. Again, I have never seen this reaction from a tetanus, diphtheria, or a combination shot.
I really do not have any further advice or comments, other than to just wait and see. Again, I have never seen this reaction from a tetanus, diphtheria, or a combination shot.
Report This| Share this:Tetanus questionI am sure you have read about Guillian-Barre. Your doctor would have made the diagnosis if this was case, and this is why he mentioned limb numbness. I have seen random eye twitching many times in my clinical years --- and, none have been Guillian-Barre. <br /><br />I really do not have any further advice or comments, other than to just wait and see. Again, I have never seen this reaction from a tetanus, diphtheria, or a combination shot.
Featuring Experts
Welcome to WebMD's Ear, Nose, and Throat Community — a site where members help each other. If you have an experience to share or would like ...More
Helpful Tips
Most People with a penicillin allergy can safely take cephalosporins
Medical providers have always been taught that if you are allergic to penicillin, you have a greater chance of also being allergic to a ... More
Was this Helpful?
28
of
59 found this helpful
-
Some Tips to how best to use your Heatlh Expert
-
Zinc and Childhood Ear Infections
-
FAQ Tip # 1: Itchy Ears
Helpful Resources
Expert Blog
Focus on Flu
Find answers to your questions about seasonal flu issues and answers to your concerns about the flu season and H1N1...Read More
Related News
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other Ear, Nose & Throat Information
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us
First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.