Does Chinese medicine for tetanus work?

People must go to the hospital for emergency treatment in time after suffering from tetanus, otherwise it will cause great complications to their bodies and cause more serious bacterial infections, which is very serious. Therefore, after completing antibiotic treatment, it is best to use relevant Chinese medicinal materials. This is mainly to better improve the symptoms and avoid repeated deterioration of the disease.

All necrotic tissue, foreign matter, etc. in the wound must be removed. After antitoxin treatment, the wound should be treated under good anesthesia and controlled spasm, with thorough debridement and adequate drainage. The local area can be rinsed with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. The wound does not need to be sutured or bandaged after debridement. Some wounds appear to have healed, and the presence of sinus tracts or dead spaces under the scab should be carefully checked.

1. Application of antitoxin

The purpose is to neutralize free toxins, so it is only effective in the early stages. Once the toxins have already combined with the nerve tissue, it will be difficult to be effective. However, since the allergy rate of antitoxin is as high as 5% to 30%, an intradermal allergy test must be performed before use. Tetanus human immunoglobulin is effective when used in the early stages and is generally used only once.

2. Control spasms

After admission, the patient should stay in an isolation ward to avoid stimulation from light, sound, etc.; avoid harassing the patient and reduce convulsion attacks. Depending on the situation, sedatives and antispasmodics can be used alternately to reduce the patient's spasms and pain. Available drugs include: diazepam (can block interneuronal conduction and relax muscles), intramuscular injection or intravenous drip, similar drugs include lorazepam and midazolam; chlorpromazine (can inhibit the central nervous system and relieve muscle spasms), intramuscular injection or intravenous drip, alternating with diazepam, but not used in case of hypovolemia; phenobarbital (sedative effect) intramuscular injection once every 8 to 12 hours; 10% chloral hydrate (suitable for those with severe spasms) orally or by retention enema.

For patients with frequent and difficult-to-control spasms, sodium thiopental can be slowly injected intravenously, but be alert to the occurrence of laryngeal spasm and respiratory depression. It is safer to use it for patients who have undergone tracheotomy. However, sedatives and antispasmodics should be used with caution in neonatal tetanus, and lobeline, coramine, etc. may be used as appropriate.

3. Pay attention to the prevention and treatment of complications

The main complications are in the respiratory tract, such as suffocation, atelectasis, and lung infection. Therefore, for severe patients with frequent convulsions that are difficult to control with drugs, tracheotomy should be performed as soon as possible to improve ventilation; respiratory secretions should be cleared in time, and the patient should be turned over and patted on the back frequently to prevent aspiration pneumonia; tracheotomy patients should pay attention to respiratory management, including airway nebulization, humidification, and flushing. When necessary, designated personnel should be provided for care to prevent accidents; strict aseptic techniques should be used to prevent cross infection. For patients with concurrent lung infection, antibiotics are selected according to the strain of bacteria. An indwelling urinary catheter is used to improve urinary retention, and a rectal tube is placed to improve abdominal distension.