Treatment

Following recognition of tetanus, muscle relaxation and artifical ventilation are usually required. If the spasms are not too severe the patient may be nursed in a darkened quitened room as noise and light may trigger spasms. The wound through which the innoculation occured is treated, with debridement if necessary. Antibiotics against Clostridium Tetani are administered to kill the bacteria and prevent the elaboration of further toxin. Penicillin like drugs are the antibiotic of choice. Large doses of Humotet are given to neutralise the toxin and a course of active immunisation is commenced.

Magnesium therapy has been shown to be useful in controlling spasms in patients with tetanus, and may obviate the need for paralysis and ventilation [AN02].