Tetanus phobia

When there is a trauma to the body, it can easily cause tetanus if it is not treated in time. Tetanus is mainly caused by bacterial infection, and tetanus is much more serious than general diseases. If not treated in time, it may result in death. Tetanus is very common, but some people are very afraid of tetanus and develop tetanus phobia. How should this be solved?

Tetanus is a specific infection in which Clostridium tetani invades the human body through skin or mucosal wounds, grows and multiplies in an oxygen-deficient environment, produces toxins and causes muscle spasms. Tetanus toxin mainly attacks the motor neurons in the nervous system. Therefore, the clinical characteristics of this disease are clenched jaws, paroxysmal spasms, and tonic spasms. The main muscle groups affected include the masseter muscles, dorsal spinal muscles, abdominal muscles, and limb muscles. The incubation period of tetanus is usually 7 to 8 days, but can be as short as 24 hours or as long as several months or years. The shorter the incubation period, the worse the prognosis. About 90% of patients develop the disease within 2 weeks of injury. Occasionally, patients develop tetanus symptoms after removing foreign objects that have remained in the body for many years. The general population is susceptible, and wounds of all types and sizes may be contaminated with soil or sludge containing Clostridium tetani, but only a minority of patients will develop the disease. Injuries and illnesses are more common during warmer seasons when there is more outdoor activity. There is no lasting immunity after the disease, so you can be infected again.

What are the symptoms of tetanus?

1. Incubation period: The length varies and is often related to factors such as whether or not the patient has received vaccinations, the nature and location of the trauma, and the treatment of the wound. Usually 7-8 days, but can be as short as 24 hours or as long as several months or years.

2. Prodromal stage: fatigue, dizziness, headache, chewing weakness, hyperreflexia, irritability, local pain, muscle stretching, convulsion and rigidity, jaw tension and difficulty opening the mouth.

3. Attack period: continuous muscle contraction. The first are the masticatory muscles, followed by the face, neck, back, abdomen, limbs, and finally the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.

4. Sound, light vibration, drinking water and injection can induce paroxysmal convulsions. The patient remained conscious and had no abnormal sensations. Generally no high fever.

1. Treat wounds correctly. For minor wounds, you can first use tap water or well water to rinse off the mud and dust on the outside of the wound. If conditions permit, you can apply iodine or other disinfectants on the wound, then cover the wound with a clean cloth, bandage it gently, and then go to the hospital for further treatment. For some large wounds, you can first press the wound with a clean cloth and then go to the hospital for treatment quickly.

2. Pay attention to maternal hygiene.

3. Get vaccinated.

4. Take Chinese medicine internally.

When should the tetanus shot be given?

1. Many people have been injured. Some bleed a little, some don’t bleed, or are pierced by nails. They rush to get tetanus shots, but in fact, there is no need. A tetanus shot is needed when the wound is deep beneath the skin. It is not necessary for minor injuries such as abrasions. There is no need to fight in the situation shown in the picture below.

2. If you really need a tetanus shot, you should first treat the wound in time and clean and disinfect it with soapy water or hydrogen peroxide if conditions permit. Do not give tetanus toxin a chance to take effect.

3. After cleaning the wound, remember not to bandage it too tightly, so as to avoid closing the wound and giving the tetanus virus space to multiply. If you encounter a large wound, please bandage it quickly and seek medical attention.

4. Tetanus shots should generally be given within one day, but if you delay it more than one day, the shot will still be effective, but the efficacy will be slightly weaker.

5. If the wound is very large, deep and severe, we can give you another injection a week later to consolidate the effect.

6. It should be noted that tetanus and rabies vaccines are two different things, and many people confuse them. Rabies vaccine mainly refers to the vaccine that must be taken when you are deeply bitten by dogs or cats. Tetanus is caused by injuries such as falls and punctures.