Can you still get tetanus after being cut by non-rusty barbed wire?

Question

I was doing yard work (mostly push mowing my yard) and cut the top of my hand on some sort of new barbed wire when I was mowing along my fence line.

Anonymous · Answer

It's not likely that you will get tetanus from a non-rusty barbed wire. I would recommend cleaning up the cut with some soap and water, then applying neosporin and a bandaid over the area to protect it from an infection.

Jimmy C · Answer

it is very unlikely. Just wash it with soap and water.

? · Answer

no..................

? · Answer

just wash your hand and clean your cut and you should be fine.

? · Answer

The tetanus bacteria lives in contaminated soil and is usually found only on old metal objects that have been covered for years in contaminated soil 
 
 You were probably vaccinated against tetanus while you were a very young child. It would be almost impossible for you to  be infected with tetanus by cutting your hand on a piece of new, non-rusty barbed  fence wire, even if you hadn't been vaccinated.  Tetanus isn't found on metal objects that haven't  been covered  for years in contaminated soil.

If you're worried about ti, you can ask your doctor to give you a tetanus booster shot.  It can't hurt anything, but it will probably put your mind at ease.  .  .

Anonymous · Answer

Probably not, but if you haven't had a tetanus shot in 10 years It's time for a booster anyway.

USAFisnumber1 · Answer

Yes.  The rust is not the issue,   tetanus is caused by a bacteria and it can be on anything.   The fact you were doing yard work is a bigger factor.    If you have not had a tetanus shot in five years you probably should get one.

? · Answer

i would hope not, get a tetanus shot if youre worried about it

Mr. Smartypants · Answer

The easiest way to get tetanus is from a deep puncture wound.  The 'rusty nail' is famous because if you step on it, it penetrates your foot an inch or two.  You pull it out but a lot of dirt is left behind, and it gets sealed in there as the wound closes above it.  But the nail doesn't have to be rusty!  Just dirty.

If the wound is shallow, like a deep scrape, you're less likely to get an infection because you can wash it out.  In fact if it bleeds, the blood washes it out (some).  Wounds that are deep and narrow and don't bleed, that's what you worry about.

Can you still get tetanus after being cut by non-rusty barbed wire?

9 Answers