Question

Why does a doctor administer tetanus antitoxin and not a tetanus

vaccine to a child injured in a road side accident with a bleeding wound.

Explain

Answer 1

Vaccination consists of weakened germs responsible for causing a particular disease. These weakened germs stimulate the immune system to synthesise antibodies against the particular disease. Whenever the active germs for the same disease attack a person, the synthesised antibodies fight against these germs.

As quick immunization is required in this case, preformed antibodies (antitoxin) is injected into the patient which will immediately start fighting against the active germs. This type of immunization is called passive immunization. Therefore tetanus anti toxin was administered to the child by the doctor.