Tetanus is a preventable disease, if properly immunized against and treated immediately.
The treatment guidelines for tetanus include tetanus anti serum injections, antibiotics, and supportive therapy.
Treatment for tetanus:
Although the primary treatment for tetanus is the administration of tetanus immunoglobulin, it also includes usage of antibiotics and muscle relaxants.
Tetanus immunoglobulin:
Once a patient is diagnosed as having a tetanus infection, they are administered tetanus immunoglobulins as early as possible.
Antibiotics:
Tetanus treatment includes the use of antibiotics to kill the vegetative forms of the bacilli in their sporulating stages. The antibiotics actually do not kill the spores. The antibiotics used in the treatment of tetanus include Benzathine penicillin and other broad spectrum antibiotics like Ceftriaxone. If the patient is hypersensitive to penicillin, then erythromycin could be administered, and if Benzathine penicillin is administered, it should be given at an interval of six hours.
Anti-convulsants and muscle relaxants:
Anticonvulsant drugs and muscle relaxants are used as a supportive therapy in the treatment of tetanus. These drugs actually help relieve muscle spasms and seizures. The most commonly used drug is Diazepam. It can be given intramuscularly or intravenously as required.
Supportive therapy:
The patient should be kept in an isolated room that is dimly lit and devoid of sound. Light and sound may increase the frequency and severity of spasms. Avoiding light and sound helps reduce the spasms. Paracetamol injections can be administered intramuscularly to counter the increase in temperature. Cold sponging can also be given.
Natural supplements for tetanus:
Natural supplements for tetanus are given along with the regular guidelines for tetanus treatment. Natural supplements include usage of a Chinese herb called Arisaema which is administered for relieving spasms. A concoction called “Qi She” derived from the dried body of pit viper is used as a supplement for tetanus. Other supplements for tetanus are “Chan tui” and Saposhnikovia divaricata. Acupuncture could also be used as a supplementary therapy in tetanus treatment.
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