Emergency treatment for a tetanus patient and literature review

Abstract

Tetanus is an acute poisoning zoonotic disease triggered by the invasion of tetanus bacteria into wounds, which then proliferate and secrete toxins. The condition is marked by persistent skeletal muscle spasms and heightened excitability of nerve reflexes, manifesting with clenched jaws and both compulsive and clonic spasms. The primary muscle groups affected are the masseter, dorsal, abdominal, and limb muscles^[1]. Key measures for treating tetanus include thorough wound management, as well as controlling muscle spasms and lung infections^[2].This article presents a case of tetanus, initially diagnosed in the internal medicine department. After excluding conditions related to stroke, the patient was transferred to the surgical department for debridement and anti-infection treatment. Ultimately, the patient's condition stabilized and showed improvement.We aim to deepen clinical physicians' understanding of tetanus by sharing the diagnostic and therapeutic insights from this case.