How to treat mild tetanus?

Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
Updated on February 09, 2025
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The treatment for mild tetanus mainly includes the following aspects:

First, to control convulsions, diazepam or midazolam can be administered via muscle injection or intravenous injection. If necessary, phenytoin sodium can be combined to control seizures. If the convulsions last a long time and the symptoms are pronounced, sedative medications can be continuously used to control the convulsions.

Second, use large amounts of penicillin and anti-tetanus bacillus treatment to control the infection.

Third, maintain a quiet indoor environment to reduce stimuli.

Fourth, after the patient regains consciousness, attention should be paid to diet: avoid spicy and stimulating foods, do not smoke or drink alcohol, and it is advised to drink more water and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.

(Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Is tetanus an anaerobic bacterium?

Tetanus is a specific infection often associated with trauma. In addition to various traumas, it can also occur in parturient women and newborns under unsanitary conditions. The pathogen is Clostridium tetani, an obligate anaerobe that stains positive under Gram staining conditions. Normally present in the intestines of humans and animals, it is distributed in nature and common in soil. This type of bacteria has strong resistance to environmental conditions and can withstand boiling.

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How long does a tetanus shot last?

About how long a tetanus shot lasts, it generally lasts from half a year to a year without any issues. So, if there is a wound, it is crucial to go to a surgical department for wound debridement and disinfection as soon as possible, especially after rinsing with hydrogen peroxide, keep the wound clean and dry. Secondly, change dressings. Generally, if it is not an infected wound, change the dressing every 1 to 2 days, and if infected, change the dressing daily. If necessary, take oral antibiotics to prevent infection. If you are not allergic to cephalosporins, it is usual to take some cephalosporin-based medications. Afterwards, be mindful of your diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods, and have regular check-ups. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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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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Will a scrape lead to tetanus?

When a tetanus infection occurs, the wound is generally quite deep, for instance, reaching the subcutaneous fat or even the muscle layer in severe cases. Such deep wounds can create an anaerobic environment, which is conducive for the growth and reproduction of Clostridium tetani, an anaerobic bacterium. This bacterium produces exotoxins, primarily the tetanospasmin, which causes the associated clinical symptoms in patients. If it's merely a scrape or a superficial wound, tetanus infection is unlikely. Clinically, what is needed for such abrasions is to disinfect the area with iodine and then bandage it appropriately.

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Can tetanus be cured?

Tetanus has a high mortality rate from infection, but it is not incurable. Even in primitive tribes in Africa, as long as the patient can survive the initial complications such as respiratory muscle spasms leading to suffocation, heart failure, lung infections, etc., they may be lucky to survive. However, in our daily lives today, if we accidentally sustain skin injuries or abrasions, we must not take them lightly and should head to the hospital to follow the doctor's advice. If a tetanus antitoxin injection is needed, it must be administered. Do not neglect it due to inconvenience, as it may lead to severe consequences. The initial symptoms of tetanus might include general weakness, muscle soreness, and spasms of the chewing muscles, which can later lead to severe muscle contractions and forceful spasms throughout the body. The patient remains fully conscious and can painfully experience the disease. Most patients may die from complications such as respiratory muscle spasms, suffocation, heart failure, and lung infections.