Disease if you touch rust..?

I heard that if you touch something rusty like a rusty nail..you can get some sort of serious disease. I was just in the backyard, and I saw something lying in the dirt, I poved it and picked it up..and it was some sort of clampers/scissors that we HUGE, and it seemed that they were made out of rust. It was orangy..and when I touched it..my hand began throbbing. What should I do?

I don't think I got that shot yet...

you cannot contract any type of disease or infection from merely touching a rusted object...there is a risk of tetanus (and other infections related to injury to the skin or flesh in general, of course) if your skin is broken or penetrated by a rusty item...but merely touching the item...no.

if you have a recent tetanus shot then you should be fine if not then get one quick (they last like 10 years)

Tetanus also know as Lockjaw, it must be an open wound thought.

It is a tetanus shot and they last about 10 years.

Simply touching rust is not dangerous. If it was, i would have died years ago.

Generally, the saying is Stepping on a rusty nail. You need to have a wound for the 'rust' to enter your body.


If you are really worried about it, get an appointment with your doctor.

Most people get the tetanus vaccine at age 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, 4- 6 years and then every ten years. If you are over 16 and don't remember getting a shot, you;re probably due. There's no daged of tetanus if you didn't cut yourself though, but you should keep your vaccines up to date anyway.

Tetanus typically occurs in non-immunized persons within the first two weeks following a traumatically acquired puncture, laceration or abrasion.

srry! i dont know, but good luck!

You do not have to do anything, as you have not sustained a wound that the bacteria could enter through.
Tetanus bacteria (Clostridium tetani) are able to live in soil, human and animal intestines. However they are unable to enter the bloodstream and cause infection unless you sustain an injury, like stepping on a dirty nail which breaks the skin. It is also possible to contract tetanus from IV needle use, or burns, for example.
Many countries, (Australia included) no longer routinely immunise against tetanus, preferring instead to treat people with a preventative injection should they sustain an injury.
If you do injure yourself, clean the area thoroughly with soap, water and a antiseptic.
If you have not been immunised (or you do not remember when your last immunisation was), see a doctor for treatment. Tetanus can be life threatening, but it is a preventable disease.
Hope this helps.