Nikki Sommer, a nurse with Key West Surgical Group, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5 FM for Medical Matters this morning.
Tetanus is a serious disease.
Sommer said, “Tetanus is caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani, and it gets into the blood through wounds, usually like a dog bite, or when a rusty nail, if you remember when you got cut, if it was deep, it was rusty, everybody was like, oh, you’ve got to go get a tetanus shot when you were younger. It can get into the body through a wound, and it releases a powerful toxin called tetanospasmin. It affects the nerves that controls muscles causing painful spasms and stiffness. Hence, we get the term lock jaw. You literally can’t open your mouth or chew properly, which is a big problem. And then it can move to the neck, the shoulders and even the muscles that help you breathe. So it can be frightening and dangerous all at the same time. The toxin affects the nerves that control movement, not awareness. So the scary part is, you are fully aware that you can’t move your body.”
Prevention and quick treatment is critical.
Sommer said, “In the United States tetanus is very rare. Between 2009 and 2015 there were fewer than 200 reported cases, and most of the cases are people who hadn’t had a booster shot in 10 years. So that’s why the recommendation is to get a tetanus shot every 10 years, because it wears off, but globally, it still caused thousands of death each year, especially in areas without good wound care or vaccination success, or where there isn’t just good medical treatment period. So while it’s rare, it’s not extinct. Even one untreated, contaminated wounds can lead to trouble. Florida, we have the ocean, the fishing, the hooks, coral scrapes. We’re constantly getting nicked all the time, you walk on pea rock, if you have pea rock, I know how many nails I’ve had in my tires, you could step on them as well. So things to be aware about and your surroundings.”
How is tetanus treated?
Sommer said, “If you do have a wound, make sure you clean it well, soap and water. Know when the last time you had either a tetanus shot or a booster and seek medical care. Sometimes that care if you do have tetanus, those symptoms of tetanus, it will require hospital care in the ICU. They might give the human tetanus immunoglobulin to kind of neutralize the toxin. Antibiotics, the one particular is Metronidazole to kill the bacteria. However, once the toxin is in the nerve it’s locked in the nerve tissue, so the antibiotics are to keep the toxin from spreading, but it can’t kill the toxin that’s already locked in the nerve tissue. Keep that in mind. Sedative and muscle relaxers to control the spasms, and it can affect your breathing, so sometimes, depending on how severe the toxin is in your system, you might need to be on a ventilator.”
When should people seek help?
Sommer said, “If you have a puncture wound, animal bite, meaning dog bite, cat bite, they’re really prone to infection anyway. So whether it’s tetanus or there’s other infections that come with animal bites, you should seek medical attention. If your cut had been contaminated with like a rusty nail, a screw or rusty piece of metal, and you’re not sure when your last tetanus booster was you should go to the urgent care or your doctor. Also, if you start noticing that jaw stiffness, neck pain or trouble swallowing after a wound, do not wait. It’s becoming a medical emergency. The incubation period can be anywhere from one day to several weeks. But shorter is the more severe the infection tends to be, depending on the injury, like if it’s a big injury, where I’m thinking, if you get a really deep cut, you’ve got to go somewhere anyway, because you can’t stop the bleeding, and you probably need stitches. So then they’ll ask you all about your immunization against tetanus at that time. Again, it’s rare. It’s not common, but it can still occur.”
For more information, click here: https://www.keywestsurgicalgroup.com/