Tetanus Booster need? Doctor's response important

[cynthia32]

I've been out of town this past week visiting a good friend of mine.  This morning as I was eating breakfast, his cat came up to me, and out of nowhere, bit my leg.  It was a small puncture but left a visible mark.  I'm worried about possibly getting tetanus.  I had my last Tetanus vaccine 7 years ago.  Do I need a booster?  I'm a 32 year old female.

I would really appreciate a response from a physician.  

Thanks,
Cynthia

[DeadLast]

Do you mean rabies? LOL

[swampcritter]

The normal recommendation is tetanus every 10 years, so if you had one 7 years ago you should be fine.

Rabies is only a concern if the cat has not been vaccinated.

[Vaxpro1]

You should get a tetanus booster. Normal boosters are given every ten years, but in the case of a injury, if it has been more than five years since your last booster, you should get vaccinated. If you have not had the new Tdap (tetanus-diptheria-pertussis) vaccine, it is reccomended that you get it when you are due to get a tetanus booster. It is a one-time booster with the pertussis vaccine in it to boost your immunity to pertussis (or whooping cough). Kids get the Dtap vaccination up until age 7, after which you get the Td shot. Pertussis immunity in older adolescents and adults has waned and that is why the Tdap is now reccomended.