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Please call 911 immediately if you are having chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, sudden weakness or numbness, or if you think you have a medical emergency.

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Tetanus Treatment

Self-Care at Home

  • Any wound that results in a break in the skin should be cleaned with soap and running water.
  • All open wounds are at risk to get tetanus . Wounds from objects outdoors or crush injuries are at higher risk.
  • Apply a clean and dry cloth to stop or minimize bleeding.
  • Apply direct pressure to the site of bleeding to help minimize blood loss.

Medical Treatment

  • Antibiotics and antitoxin to kill the bacteria and the toxin
  • Wound cleansing to remove any obvious bacteria collections (abscesses) or foreign bodies
  • Supportive measures
  • Pain medicine as needed
  • Ventilator support to help with breathing in the event of spasms of the vocal cords or the respiratory muscles
  • IV rehydration because, as your muscles spasm constantly, increased metabolic demands are placed on your body

more information from eMedicineHealth

WebMD Medical Reference from eMedicineHealth

Reviewed by Cynthia Dennison Haines, MD on May 24, 2006
© 2003-2006 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.

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