Question

A heavily bleeding and bruised road accident victim was brought to a nursing home. The doctor immediately gave him an injection to protect him against a deadly disease. Explain.

Answer 1

The injection is of a booster dose of a vaccine called tetanus toxoid that needs to be given within 48 hours of injury. It is given to protect the victim from a disease called tetanus that is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. The bacteria can be found in soil, manure, or dust. They may cause infection by entering the body through cuts or puncture wounds, particularly when the wound area is dirty.