Can tetanus be cured?

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on December 07, 2024
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Tetanus is a curable disease. It is usually caused by an infection with the tetanus bacillus, which produces a specific infection in the human body. Clinically, it is mainly manifested as muscle tension and rigidity, with the primary symptoms being difficulty opening the mouth, a sardonic smile, neck stiffness, and opisthotonos. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory confusion, respiratory arrest, or cardiac arrest. Therefore, patients with tetanus should go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible. With standardized and systematic treatment, the vast majority of patients can be cured.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
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The scientific name of a tetanus shot is called "tetanus toxoid vaccine."

Tetanus is a relatively common disease in daily life, and its prevention and treatment are very important because, in severe cases, it can even endanger a person's life safety. Commonly in clinical practice, tetanus injections are referred to as tetanus antitoxin. In such situations, the use of this prophylactic injection still plays a role, depending on the specific health condition and circumstances of the patient. If the wound is not superficial, it is generally after debridement that a tetanus shot can be administered based on the specific situation. Furthermore, tetanus shots usually need to be confirmed through methods like skin tests because some patients may have allergic reactions, which could significantly impact their health and pose a great risk.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Do you need a tetanus shot for a scrape?

Whether tetanus vaccination is necessary for an abrasion depends on the severity of the injury. For a minor abrasion where the wound is not deep, you can repeatedly rinse the wound with hydrogen peroxide or saline solution to wash off contaminants. After that, disinfect with iodine and perform simple bandaging. Change the dressing as needed. Such abrasions do not require a tetanus shot. However, if the abrasion is severe, the wound is deep, heavily contaminated, or caused by rusty metal, it is essential to receive tetanus vaccination while cleaning the wound in the hospital to prevent tetanus.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Tetanus allergic symptoms

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 Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Does tetanus cause fever?

When tetanus occurs, early symptoms mainly include dizziness, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, weak chewing, sore jaw muscles, or tense facial muscles. Some cases show exaggerated reflexes or muscle tension. Generally, tetanus has its typical manifestations, such as difficulty in opening the mouth, risus sardonicus (a sardonic smile), opisthotonus (arching of the back), and stiff neck. In clinical practice, a few cases may even have a fever. Therefore, fever in tetanus is only seen in individual cases.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
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Do you need a tetanus shot for a scraped skin?

Tetanus bacterial infection generally refers to relatively deeper wounds. A deeper wound creates an anaerobic environment locally, where tetanus-causing bacteria can reproduce and grow, leading to infection. If the wound is just a scrape and not deep, it's less likely to form an anaerobic environment. In such cases, the likelihood of developing tetanus is extremely low. From personal experience, if it's just a minor scrape, simply disinfecting the area with iodine is sufficient; there is generally no need for a tetanus antitoxin injection.