Is it possible to experience no adverse side effects to a tetanus shot?

Question

This morning at nine AM, I got my first tetanus shot (that I can remember), along with my chicken pox inoculation renewal, meningitis inoculation, and Gardisil HPV shot. I have a rather high tolerance for pain when it comes to injections, so I didn't have much difficulty with the shots.

I was warned about the soreness of the tetanus shot, and it has, indeed, set in by now, but it's not excruciating or even particularly painful. It just feels like a dull, old soreness like when you get punched in the arm. I was curious as to how long the soreness would last, but when I Googled it, a lot of answers came up concerning adverse side effects to the injection such as high fevers and illness, even some more serious ones like miscarriage, birth defects, and even paralysis.

I feel fine. Like I said, the injection site doesn't hurt that bad. I doesn't hurt to lift my arm, or exert force, though I can't say I've been trying to. I'm experiencing no fever or illness; I even took a nap earlier with no difficulty and my appetite is normal. It's been fifteen hours since the injection, and the pain hasn't faded, but it hasn't worsened, either.

Is the worst soon to come or is it possible that I might not experience any of these 'adverse' side effects? Reading those articles made me somewhat nervous to go to sleep.

Answer 1

When I got a tetanus shot, it felt like I had a bruise on my arm, one that didn't last any longer than an ordinary bruise, perhaps only a few days and up to a week or so. I'm guessing that is what you're experiencing now. I didn't experience any other adverse side effects, so don't worry about them at all, and if you do get any, they will go away.

Answer 2

I think what you are experiencing is probably as bad as you'll be.  You might be a little more sore tomorrow, but nothing major.  I think people who might tense up their arm in anticipation of the shot could have more soreness than what you have. However, what you read or heard is every possibility -- not what everyone can expect to experience.

Answer 3

Yes, absolutely possible. The articles you read cover every possible side effect, and while some are more common than others, many people (including myself) have very neglible reactions to tetanus especially if it is administered by someone who knows what they are doing. I would say the worst is over for you. There was probably some local reaction inside the muscle (normal) which is probably going to improve with activity. You could take aspirin or tylenol if the discomfort bothers you or if you are concerned that it might get worse.