DOH urges tetanus treatment for firecracker injuries

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has urged those who sustained injuries or burns from firecrackers during the New Year revelry to get anti-tetanus shots to prevent infection.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo pointed out that even small wounds and slight burns should not be ignored as these can develop tetanus, a serious infection caused by Clostridium tetani, a bacterium that produces a toxin which affects the brain and nervous system, leading to stiffness in the muscles.

“We ask the public to see a doctor because even small wounds and slight burns can lead to tetanus. We should not ignore them,” Domingo said.

In its website, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines tetanus as “a non-communicable disease contracted through exposure to the spores of the bacterium, Clostridium tetani, that exists worldwide in soil and in animal intestinal tracts, and can contaminate many surfaces and substances.”

Depending on the gravity of the wounds or burns, tetanus can set in between three to 21 days after infection. Its symptoms include lock jaw; muscle spasm often in the back, abdomen and extremities; difficulty in swallowing; seizures, headache, fever or sweating; change in blood pressure; and fast heart rate.

As of yesterday, the DOH reported 19 new firecracker-related injuries, raising the total to 307 cases. It noted though that the figure is still lower by 40 percent compared to last year. It is also 64 percent or 538 cases lower than the five-year average.

The DOH added that 129 of the injuries were caused by illegal fireworks.