Doctor SIR,  My wife had a small cut on her right elbow by a rusted fence material. She immediately washed the small cut with soap and water and later washed with dettol water too.  Does she need  any injection of the sort of ATS.  SHe is 71  years old.Badrinath gadicharla
Hello, Welcome to Chat Doctor, As your wife had a small cut on her right elbow by a rusted fence material, and she has immediately washed the small cut with soap and water and later washed with detail. The tetanus spore can sustain for longer period of time in the anaerobic environment and the rusted objects are known to harbor these spores. If your wife has not taken TT injection in last one year I would suggest her1. Take TT injection2. Apply Metro ointment over the wound3. Oral antibiotics like Tab Augmenting, twice daily for 5 days. Thank you.