Tetanus

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Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
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What department is the tetanus shot in?

Tetanus bacillus is actually a relatively common bacterium, usually caused by traumatic injuries, and is commonly encountered in daily life. Tetanus is an acute disease caused by the tetanus bacillus, and this disease must be managed through preventive measures. When injuries or wounds occur, it is very important to get a tetanus shot, which can usually be administered at a surgical department, allowing for immediate care in such emergencies. This disease is generally quite dangerous, so administering the tetanus vaccine within 24 hours is considered safer. Of course, depending on the specific timing, one could also visit the emergency department to get a tetanus shot urgently, which can also be effective in treatment.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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Can tetanus be cured in its early stages?

Whether tetanus can be cured in the early stages depends on the severity of the condition and the individual's constitution. If the tetanus is mild, indicating a lighter infection, treatment might be relatively easier. Through symptomatic treatment and anti-tetanus bacillus therapy, the condition can be alleviated and improved. However, if the tetanus is severe, with persistent convulsions and various complications, treatment becomes more complicated and may lead to death. Therefore, if an injury occurs, proactive measures should be taken to treat the wound to reduce the risk of tetanus infection. Also, within 24 hours, one should go to the hospital to receive tetanus antitoxin or tetanus immunoglobulin to prevent the onset of tetanus.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Will a tetanus wound heal?

Tetanus wounds do not heal, and they contain a large amount of tetanus bacilli, which reproduce massively, leading to symptoms such as redness, pain, and even pus discharge in the affected area. Generally, these wounds cannot heal by themselves; even if the skin heals, the underlying and muscle tissues infected by tetanus can cause the skin to rupture and possibly accumulate pus. If a superficial wound is suspected to be infected with tetanus, it is necessary to promptly enlarge the wound, i.e., expand the surface wound, and rinse repeatedly with hydrogen peroxide and clean water to further kill the tetanus bacilli inside. At the same time, it is necessary to administer tetanus antitoxin, regularly observe the patient's clinical manifestations, and if necessary, administer tetanus antitoxin again after a period.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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What should not be eaten after a tetanus shot?

After a tetanus injection, one should avoid spicy and irritating foods, such as chili peppers, barbecue, and garlic, as these foods may cause inflammatory stimulation and increase the burden on liver function, potentially leading to unnecessary side effects. Additionally, patients should avoid hard-to-digest foods and primarily consume a light diet, eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, which is beneficial in controlling the condition. Also, alcohol should be avoided after a tetanus vaccination to prevent adverse reactions from drinking. Tetanus is a severe disease, and there are no specific drugs for its acute episodes, so prevention is crucial, especially for deep tissue burns, where a timely tetanus shot should be administered.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How long do you have to get a tetanus shot?

It is generally recommended to receive an injection as soon as possible after a trauma, ideally within 24 hours, because tetanus has a certain incubation period, with the shortest being able to cause disease within 24 hours. There is still value in receiving the injection after 24 hours; it can alleviate symptoms and play a preventive treatment role. For tetanus, it is usual to administer a tetanus shot, and most people can choose between tetanus antitoxin or tetanus immunoglobulin. The duration of these two drugs is not the same; tetanus antitoxin lasts about three days, while tetanus immunoglobulin can last up to three weeks. However, this is not an absolute conclusion. Beyond this time, if there are high-risk factors for reinfection, a repeat injection is needed. If a patient has previously been protected by an active immunization regimen, in most cases, no special preventive treatment is needed within three years of the last vaccination.

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Written by Ai Bing Quan
General Surgery
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What will happen with tetanus?

In clinical settings, tetanus is a type of surgical-specific infectious disease caused by the infiltration of Clostridium tetani through human skin, mucous membranes, or wounds. Tetanus toxin is a true anaerobic bacterium that thrives in oxygen-deprived environments and is highly resistant to environmental conditions. Clostridium tetani mainly produces tetanus toxin and tetanolysin, which can cause whole-body muscle spasms, including facial muscle spasms and difficulty opening the mouth. It can also lead to persistent spasms of the respiratory muscles and diaphragm, causing respiratory arrest and, in severe cases, can result in patient death.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Can you drink alcohol with tetanus?

Tetanus is a specific infection caused by the toxin produced by Clostridium tetani entering the body through damaged skin and mucous membranes. The onset of tetanus is due to the absorption of the toxin produced by Clostridium tetani in the bloodstream. Drinking alcohol at this time can lead to vasodilation and enhanced blood circulation, which can facilitate the absorption of the toxin. The increased speed and amount of toxin absorption can exacerbate the symptoms of tetanus. Therefore, it is advisable not to drink alcohol with tetanus.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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When is the best time to get a tetanus shot?

Tetanus infection carries a certain mortality rate, with current statistics indicating that the death rate from tetanus infection can reach around 40%. Typically, tetanus is caused by an acute, specific infection resulting from the growth and reproduction of Clostridium tetani in human wounds, which produce toxins. Generally, it can only grow and reproduce in an anoxic environment, so it is most commonly found in soil, human and animal feces, and rust. For wounds, especially sharp and deep cuts, it is usually vital to administer a tetanus shot promptly. The choices generally are tetanus immunoglobulin or tetanus antitoxin, which have different half-lives; tetanus antitoxin generally lasts about three days, whereas tetanus immunoglobulin can last up to three weeks. Therefore, in the presence of high-risk infection factors, it is advisable to administer the injection as soon as possible, generally recommended within 24 hours.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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Is the tetanus shot safe?

It is safe to receive tetanus treatment at an accredited hospital. There are two types of tetanus injections: the tetanus toxoid, which requires a skin test, and the tetanus immunoglobulin, which does not require a skin test. Alcohol consumption must be avoided before using the tetanus toxoid. If the skin test is negative, the injection is safe. The other type, tetanus immunoglobulin, can be used directly without a skin test. Tetanus injections from reputable manufacturers and hospitals are safe. However, some people may experience symptoms such as pain, nausea, and vomiting during the tetanus injection. Typically, these symptoms can be alleviated and disappear with symptomatic treatment after the injection.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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When does tetanus occur?

Tetanus is an infection caused by the invasion of the body by Clostridium tetani. Clostridium tetani is an anaerobic bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen, which is likely to cause tetanus in conditions such as anaerobic environments, deep wounds, or heavily contaminated wounds. Therefore, in cases where wounds are relatively small yet deep, and are considered to be in an anaerobic environment, or are contaminated with rust or soil, or in situations such as open fractures, blast injuries, gunshot wounds, and animal bites, tetanus injection treatment is necessary. It is generally recommended to administer the injection within 24 hours, and a skin test should be conducted before the injection, with alcohol consumption prohibited.