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# Tetanus - Whole blood and components

### Scenarios

Affected individual

Obligatory
  1. If treated with immunoglobulin:
     See Immunoglobulin therapy.
  2. Must not donate if:
     Not fully recovered.
Discretionary

  If fully recovered and is acceptable according to immunoglobulin therapy advice, accept.

See if relevant
  - Wounds, mouth and skin ulcers
Additional information

  Tetanus is a severe illness and usually requires treatment with high dose immunoglobulin. This may exclude the individual from donation.

Immunisation

Obligatory

  Must not donate if:

  Less than 4 weeks from exposure to a tetanus risk injury or receipt of passive immunisation with tetanus immunoglobulin.

Discretionary
  1. If not exposed (i.e. prophylactic tetanus toxoid immunisation only or a tetanus toxoid booster), accept.
  2. If treated with single dose anti-tetanus immunoglobulin (intramuscular) and more than 4 weeks from exposure, accept.
See if relevant
  - Immunoglobulin therapy
  - Wounds, mouth and skin ulcers
Additional information

  Active or passive immunisation may mask infection. It is important to wait 4 weeks to ensure that the potential donor is not infected.

Reason for change:
  Additional link has been added.
Version details:

  WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 03 (01 November 2010)

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