Tetanus - Whole blood and components

Affected individual

Obligatory: If treated with immunoglobulin:
See Immunoglobulin therapy.

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: If not exposed (i.e. prophylactic tetanus toxoid immunisation only or a tetanus toxoid booster), accept.
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.