Characteristics of wounds that are at risk for tetanus
In general, wounds that are deep and contaminated with dirt are more likely to become infected with tetanus than general wounds. The characteristics of wounds that are at risk of tetanus are as follows:
- Wounds from sharp objects
- Wounds from animal bites or scratches
- Burns
- Infected wounds in diabetic patients
- A fracture that penetrates outside the skin.
How to prevent tetanus
Tetanus can be prevente by vaccination. Vaccination can reduce the risk of infection and the severity of symptoms from the disease. In particular vaccine should received correctly and completely according to the prescribed amount. Along with taking care of the cleanliness of the wound area.
When should I get vaccine?
- If during childhood, you have received the full vaccine (in young children, it will be a combined vaccine against diphtheria, pertussis, when a wound occurs, you will see the wound as follows:
- If the wound is clean, not deep, and the wound is not large. If the last tetanus or combine vaccine dose was receive within 10 years, there is no need to get vaccinated. However, if it has more than 10 years, a booster dose should be given.
- If the wound is dirty, deep, large, or multiple wound. The last tetanus vaccine dose has receive for more than 5 years, a booster dose is required.
- If during childhood, the vaccination was not complete as schedule, tetanus vaccination should completed with 3 injections and then a booster injection should given according to the wound condition.
Complications of tetanus
- Complications in the musculoskeletal system When patients have excessive muscle tension, it can cause the spine and other bones to fracture.
- Respiratory complications Patients may develop pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, and respiratory failure, leading to death.
- Cardiovascular complications Patients may experience tachycardia, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, leading to cardiac arrest and death.
What is tetanus?
Tetanus is a disease caused by infection with the bacterium Clostridium Tetani. Which is commonly found in soil, dust, and animal feces. After entering the body through a wound, this bacterium creates a toxin called Tetanospasmin, which affects the nervous system, causing muscle tension, stiffness, and spasms, causing severe pain, including respiratory problems, spreading to the spinal cord, to parts of the brainstem, and leading to death.
Symptoms of tetanus
When the body is infect, ทางเข้า ufabet https://ufabet999.app the incubation period is on average 7-14 days. Common symptoms of tetanus are as follows:
- Stiff jaw or stuck jaw, pain when opening the mouth
- Stiff neck, neck muscles contract, making swallowing and breathing difficult.
- Muscle twitches occur when stimulated by stimuli such as touch, sound, or light. The twitches cause pain for several minutes.
- Restlessness, irritability, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure