Small wound, big killer! The deadly seven-day wind is right by your side!

Small wound, deadly weapon! The seven-day death wind is right beside you!

Bumps and scratches are inevitable in life, but some wounds may hide the deadly "seven-day death wind" — tetanus! This dangerous disease caused by Clostridium tetani has a mortality rate of 30%-50% once it develops! Don't let a small wound turn into a big disaster. Today, we clearly explain the key points of tetanus prevention!

Why should we be concerned about tetanus infection when there is a wound? — The dangerous "lurker" is everywhere!

Many people think tetanus is far from them, but the danger is actually hidden nearby! The key lies in two characteristics of Clostridium tetani:

1. Widely distributed: Clostridium tetani spores are widely present in soil, dust, feces, rusty iron objects (such as nails, wires, tools), and even animal intestines. Almost any outdoor activity, housework, or accidental bump, as long as the wound contacts contaminated items, can introduce the bacteria!
2. Anaerobic survival: The spores of Clostridium tetani themselves are not pathogenic, but they are very resilient, heat-resistant, and dry-resistant, making them difficult to kill with conventional disinfection methods. Once they enter deep, narrow, dirty wounds (such as those contaminated with soil, rust, feces) or wounds with poor blood supply, in an oxygen-deficient (anaerobic) environment, the spores "awaken" and become vegetative cells, multiply massively, and produce the deadly neurotoxin—tetanospasmin!

How terrifying is this toxin?

It is one of the most potent toxins known, with toxicity millions of times that of cyanide!

It does not damage the local wound but travels retrograde along the nerves directly to the spinal cord and brainstem.

It blocks the transmission of inhibitory nerve signals, causing continuous, rigid muscle spasms throughout the body.

Manifested as a "grimacing smile," opisthotonos, clenched jaw, respiratory muscle spasms leading to suffocation, and may ultimately result in death due to asphyxia, heart failure, or severe complications.

2. These wounds are "high-risk areas" for tetanus!

Severe contamination: wounds contaminated with soil, feces, rust (such as stepping on rusty nails, farm injuries)

Deep and narrow: stab wounds, gunshot wounds, deep cuts (low oxygen, bacteria easily multiply)

Severe tissue damage: crush injuries, burns, frostbite, animal bites and scratches

Delayed treatment: wounds untreated for more than 6 hours

Foreign body retention: wounds containing soil, debris, or other foreign objects

Misconception warning: small wounds ≠ safe! Even superficial scratches can be dangerous if contaminated!

3. After injury, "how to treat"? The golden plan is here!

Tetanus prevention is a comprehensive process. After trauma (including abrasions, puncture wounds, animal bites, etc.), a corresponding prevention plan should be formulated based on the patient's specific situation. The key to preventing tetanus is thorough wound debridement and taking appropriate preventive measures.

•  Wound treatment:

Immediately perform thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wound, removing contaminants and necrotic tissue. Deep, narrow, and severely contaminated wounds require special attention; the wound should be enlarged as much as possible to fully expose it for debridement and drainage. For open wounds, especially contaminated ones, immediate suturing is not recommended; keep the wound open or place drainage, and consider secondary suturing only after confirming no infection risk.

•  Preventive measures:

Take corresponding preventive measures based on the patient's immunization history and wound type:

1. Patients who have never been vaccinated against tetanus, have unknown immunization history, or have not completed the full immunization course: doctors should treat according to wound size and type, and it is recommended to inject passive immunization agent "tetanus antitoxin (TAT)" as soon as possible (preferably within 24 hours) to obtain immediate passive immunity.
2. Patients with a history of tetanus vaccination: if the antibody titer is unknown, vaccination was more than 5 years ago, immunity is low, vaccine response is insufficient, or the wound infection exposure risk is high, it is recommended to inject "tetanus antitoxin (TAT)" as soon as possible (preferably within 24 hours) to obtain immediate passive immunity.
3. Patients who have previously received passive immunization: if the time since the last passive immunization injection is too long (e.g., TAT injection over 7–14 days ago), doctors should treat according to wound size and type, and it is recommended to re-inject "tetanus antitoxin (TAT)".