If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.
Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms.
Do you have a cut or puncture wound more than deep and long with jagged edges or the cut gapes open? Note: Most deep cuts need to be evaluated by a doctor and should be stitched, stapled, or closed with skin adhesives within 6 to 8 hours after the injury. Some cuts that require closure can be closed as long as 24 hours after the injury. For more information, see are stitches, staples, or skin adhesives necessary?
Were you cut by something clean and your last tetanus shot was longer than 10 years ago?Note: Something is clean if it does not have dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. Examples include a broken water glass, a kitchen knife, or sewing scissors.
Were you cut by something dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?Note: Something is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. Examples include a garden tool, a dirty nail, or a piece of glass that has been buried in the dirt.
Did you not get the first series of tetanus shots?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately.
You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.
Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.
You do not need to answer any of the other questions.
You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.
An appointment today is usually needed.
Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.
Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours.
You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.
If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.
Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.
If you have any of the following
symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
December 05, 2009
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this
information.