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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

WebMD Medical Reference from eMedicineHealth

Reviewed by Cynthia Dennison Haines, MD on May 24, 2006