Tetanus allergic symptoms

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on September 05, 2024
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The primary allergic reaction to tetanus is anaphylactic shock. Some patients may experience skin redness, itching, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, pale complexion, and cold sweats within minutes after receiving the tetanus vaccine. Some may also experience nausea, vomiting, and even abdominal pain. Additionally, blood pressure may drop, and the pulse may slow down. In severe cases, coma can occur, and even cessation of heartbeat and breathing. The second type of allergic reaction is serum sickness, which can occur after a tetanus injection, characterized by erythema, edema, and itching at the injection site.

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Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
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What should I do if the tetanus skin test is positive?

For patients, what to do if there is a positive tetanus skin test? Generally if it's positive, you can undergo desensitization injections or use anti-protein drugs. Therefore, in such cases, getting a tetanus injection is also a preventative measure against infection. It's recommended to visit a surgeon to complete relevant examinations and then decide on the next steps. At the same time, thorough debridement and disinfection should be carried out. Afterwards, rest, pay attention to diet by avoiding spicy and irritating foods, maintain cleanliness and dryness, change dressings regularly, and have regular follow-ups. With proper control, recovery is possible.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Can tetanus be cured?

If the patient does not have severe complications, most cases of tetanus can be cured. Tetanus is usually a specific infection caused by toxins secreted by Clostridium tetani. The incubation period for tetanus is usually six to seven days, but it can be as short as within 24 hours or as long as several months or even years. Therefore, after cleaning a wound, it is important to get a tetanus vaccine at a formal hospital. When tetanus occurs, we should actively go to the hospital for formal and systematic treatment, as the vast majority of patients can be cured.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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How to administer a tetanus shot if it is negative?

A negative tetanus needle test indicates that the patient is not allergic to the tetanus antitoxin and can continue with intramuscular injections, typically administered in the upper arm or buttock muscles, in doses ranging from 1000 to 3000 units each time. If the infection is severe or the tetanus injection is not timely, the dosage may be appropriately increased, generally by one to two times. The purpose of administering tetanus antitoxin treatment is to prevent infection by Clostridium tetani, an anaerobic bacterium. For patients with deep wounds or heavily contaminated wounds, such as those contaminated with soil or rust, Clostridium tetani can easily colonize. Therefore, for such patients, it is essential to perform tetanus antitoxin treatment while cleaning and dressing the wound.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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How to rescue from tetanus allergy

In clinical settings, when administering tetanus injections, it is very easy for allergic reactions to occur, even severe complications like anaphylactic shock. In such cases, the following emergency measures can be taken: First, establish an intravenous access immediately, then start the patient on infusion therapy; Second, if the patient experiences a drop in blood pressure, vasopressor agents can be used for pressor therapy; Third, it's essential to provide the patient with cardiac monitoring, oxygenation, and other supportive treatments. In addition, it's crucial to use anti-allergy medications. There are many anti-allergic drugs available clinically, and the specific medication to be used should be decided based on the patient's specific condition. (Please administer medications under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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Which department do I go to for a tetanus shot?

Tetanus shots are widely used clinically, and patients generally receive the injection after sustaining an injury. Therefore, it is recommended that patients visit the surgical department. If at a community hospital, they should go to the surgical outpatient clinic. If in a secondary or tertiary hospital, patients can go to the surgical outpatient clinic or the emergency surgery department for treatment. After wound treatment, they can receive a tetanus shot as required. Thus, patients usually go to the surgical department or emergency surgery for the tetanus injection.