Tetanus-prone wounds
- Puncture-type injuries acquired in a contaminated environment and likely therefore to contain tetanus spores e.g. gardening injuries
- Wounds containing foreign bodies
- Compound fractures
- Wounds or burns with systemic sepsis
- Certain animal bites and scratches – although smaller bites from domestic pets are generally puncture injuries animal saliva should not contain tetanus spores unless the animal has been routing in soil or lives in an agricultural setting
high risk wounds
Any of the above and either
- Heavy contamination with material likely to contain tetanus spores e.g. soil, manure
- Wounds or burns that show extensive devitalised tissue
- Wounds or burns that require surgical intervention that is delayed for more than six hours are high risk even if the contamination was not initially heavy