Is tetanus fatal?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on October 28, 2024
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Tetanus infection is quite frightening, with current statistics showing that the mortality rate of tetanus infections can be as high as 40%, and about a million people die from tetanus globally each year. The current principle is to promptly inject tetanus antitoxin or tetanus immunoglobulin for sharp, deep wounds. For tetanus infection, the main symptoms manifest as local or systemic muscle rigidity and spasms. The incubation period varies; if a tetanus vaccination has been previously administered, or depending on the infection and treatment of the wound, the severity of the onset can differ. The prodromal period typically presents symptoms like dizziness, headache, heightened reflexes, restlessness, and possible difficulty opening the mouth; during the convulsive phase, there is continuous muscle contraction, eventually causing persistent spasms in the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.

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

Firstly, severe tetanus, if not treated in time, can be fatal. When infected with tetanus, the early symptoms mainly include dizziness, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, weak chewing, soreness or cramping of the jaw muscles, or muscle tension. Of course, when tetanus is severe, it can manifest as difficulty opening the mouth, risus sardonicus, opisthotonos, and stiff neck. In severe cases, there may be difficulty breathing, respiratory arrest, and even cardiac arrest. If in this situation, we do not promptly carry out emergency treatment, the tetanus patient can die.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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What should I do if I am allergic to tetanus?

Mild symptoms of tetanus allergy mainly manifest as skin redness, itching, and the appearance of rashes, some of which occur a few days after the tetanus injection, with redness and itching at the injection site or the appearance of some rashes. Severe tetanus allergies can cause chest tightness, irritability, pale complexion, profuse sweating, low blood pressure, and slow pulse. In severe cases, it can lead to cessation of heartbeat and breathing. Once an allergic reaction to tetanus occurs, the injection of tetanus should be immediately discontinued, a venous pathway should be established, and aggressive treatment with adrenaline, dexamethasone, and calcium agents should be administered for the allergy.

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Written by Ai Bing Quan
General Surgery
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Where to get a tetanus shot?

Tetanus can be treated in any department, but generally, after an injury, one would first go to the emergency room. Therefore, tetanus is very common in emergency medicine. Tetanus is a type of anaerobic bacterium that is ubiquitous in nature. If a person has a wound that is small and deep, the internal environment can become anaerobic, which easily leads to rapid proliferation of tetanus. At this point, it is necessary to inject tetanus immunoglobulin into such wounds. It is best done within 24 hours because after a long period, the tetanus bacillus might have already proliferated in the wound. A skin test should be performed before the injection, and the injection can only proceed if the skin test is negative. If the wound is relatively large and severe, it generally will not be infected by tetanus bacillus.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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How to desensitize 0.75ml tetanus?

Usually, the tetanus desensitization injection is administered in four doses. We start with 0.1 ml of tetanus toxoid plus 0.9 ml of saline diluted to 1 ml for intramuscular injection. After 20 minutes, we use 0.2 ml of tetanus toxoid plus 0.8 ml of saline diluted to 1 ml for another intramuscular injection. Twenty minutes later, we inject 0.3 ml of tetanus toxoid plus 0.7 ml of saline diluted to 1 ml intramuscularly. After another 20 minutes, we dilute the remaining tetanus toxoid with saline to 1 ml for the final intramuscular injection. After the injection, we observe for 30 minutes; if there is no allergic reaction, then it is complete.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
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How long does a tetanus shot last?

The duration of effectiveness for a tetanus shot depends on the specific type of injection used, as different injections vary in their duration of protection. Generally, the protection lasts about two to three days. In cases of infection, it is usually necessary to administer the vaccine within 24 hours. Under these circumstances, a period of about two to three days can be used to clean the wound, thereby achieving the best preventive effect. Additionally, there are other vaccines that are ten to twenty times more effective than this type of vaccine, with a typical prevention time ranging up to 15 days or even about a month. Of course, after receiving the tetanus vaccine, it is important to monitor for any allergic reactions, as different injections may vary in their degree of allergenicity, and individual reactions can differ based on personal health conditions.