Today, fewer cases of tetanus are recorded. This, apparently, is facilitated by the fact that a significant part of the population is vaccinated against this infection. Many refuse this vaccination, citing the fact that there are very few cases of the disease. But! Will this argument be a consolation for someone who is ill? Of course not. Therefore, it is worth knowing that there is such a useful thing as tetanus toxoid, the timely administration of which will help prevent the unpleasant consequences of the disease. Let's talk about that.
What is tetanus toxoid
From the point of view of pharmacology, this remedy is a protein fraction of blood serum. True, most often, not human, but horse. Anti-tetanus serum is purified and concentrated in a special way (in the medical literature it is said that this is done by the peptic preparation method). Hence,the introduction of the remedy is - under all conditions - completely safe and justified. Antitoxins contained in the liquid effectively neutralize tetanus toxin. Accordingly, a vaccinated person develops passive immunity to this disease. In addition to prevention, serum is also administered to treat tetanus.
Indications for vaccination
Should I run to the doctor for any scratch and ask for a drug? Of course not. The danger is deep (those that violate the integrity of the subcutaneous fat) and dirty wounds received, for example, where there are many different kinds of impurities. In addition, tetanus toxoid can be prescribed to a patient who has received extensive severe frostbite, burns. After childbirth and abortion, which took place in unsanitary conditions, it is also necessary to administer the drug. Animal bites, injuries are no less serious indications for contacting a vaccination office.
Emergency prevention: features of vaccination and contraindications
How and in what doses is tetanus toxoid administered to a person? The instruction says that for emergency prevention of the disease, the drug is administered in an amount of 10,000 to 20,000 IU. In this case, the method of administration may be different. Both intravenous and intramuscular administration is practiced; there is also an introduction into the spinal canal. The decision must be made by the physician. The only thing to be understood is that the vaccination must be done as soon as possible! WhatWith regard to contraindications, serum for the purpose of emergency prophylaxis should not be administered to pregnant women and those who have an increased sensitivity to the components of the drug.
If tetanus toxoid is administered to treat a disease that has already begun, then there are no contraindications.
What is tetanus toxoid according to Rarely?
This name refers to the method of drug administration, a kind of test. The patient in the forearm (intradermally) is injected with 0.1 ml of serum, which is diluted in a ratio of 1:100. After 20-30 minutes, the injection site is examined. If hyperemia and edema are mild, then the drug is administered according to the instructions.
In any case, the patient after vaccination should remain under the supervision of doctors for at least 1 hour in order to exclude the possibility of developing Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock.
