Tetanus Exposure: Immediate First Aid and Medical Management

Seek emergency medical care immediately for any wound with tetanus risk (contaminated, deep, puncture, crush, burn, devitalized tissue).

First Aid Steps

1. Clean the wound: Wash thoroughly with soap and running water; irrigate with saline if available. Remove visible debris.
2. Control bleeding: Apply direct pressure with clean cloth.
3. Cover: Apply sterile dressing.
4. Do not delay: Go to ER/urgent care for professional evaluation.

Medical Management

• Tetanus prophylaxis: Tetanus immune globulin (TIG) for immediate passive immunity + tetanus toxoid booster (Tdap/Td) if vaccination history is incomplete/unknown or >5 years since last dose (for dirty wounds) or >10 years (clean wounds).
• Antibiotics: Often prescribed (e.g., metronidazole, penicillin) to reduce clostridial burden.
• Wound care: Debridement of necrotic tissue; surgical consultation if needed.
• Monitoring: Watch for trismus, risus sardonicus, opisthotonus, autonomic instability.

Tetanus is preventable through vaccination. Maintain up-to-date boosters every 10 years.