You may need a tetanus shot if your wound is dirty, deep, puncture-like, or caused by a bite
You may need a tetanus shot if the wound has soil, rust, saliva, feces, or other contamination
You may need a tetanus shot if you have not had a tetanus booster in the last 5 years and the wound is dirty or high-risk
You may need a tetanus shot if you have not had a tetanus booster in the last 10 years, even for a clean minor wound
You may need a tetanus shot if you do not know when your last tetanus shot was
You may need a tetanus shot if you never completed the tetanus vaccine series
You may need a tetanus shot if you have a wound from a nail, knife, glass, or other object that broke the skin deeply
You may need a tetanus shot if you have burns, crush injuries, or wounds with dead tissue
You may need a tetanus shot if the wound is getting red, swollen, painful, or draining
You should seek urgent medical care if you have muscle stiffness, jaw stiffness, trouble swallowing, or spasms
You should check your vaccination records or ask a healthcare provider if you are unsure
You should get medical advice right away after a serious wound if your tetanus status is unknown or out of date