Victims of firecracker injuries advised to get anti-tetanus shots

The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday asked those who suffered injuries and burns from firecracker blasts during the New Year revelry to have anti-tetanus shots to prevent infection.

Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the DOH’s National Epidemiology Center (NEC), said that anti-tetanus vaccination is significantly cheaper than waiting for tetanus to develop before seeing a doctor.

Tayag noted that even minor burns should not be ignored because they could still be infected since firecrackers contain dirty ingredients.

Tetanus is a serious illness caused by tetanus bacteria that lives in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. It causes painful tightening of the muscles and can lead to locking of the jaw.

In severe cases, tetanus can become fatal when patients develop massive spasm, affecting their respiratory system.

Dr. Arturo Cabanban, director of the DOH-run San Lazaro Hospital (SLH), said a shot of anti-tetanus serum costs some P1,000 and below, but treating a patient with tetanus could reach up to P50,000. This shot is preventive or given before tetanus sets in.

“That amount (of P50,000) is only for anti-tetanus, antibiotic, anti-spasm and other medicines. It does not include (lost productivity) because you can be confined in hospital for up to one month,” Cabanban told The STAR.

Depending on the gravity of the burns or wounds, tetanus develops from three to 28 days.

Records at the NEC showed that from Dec. 22 to Jan. 3, a total of 630 cases of firecracker and stray bullet injuries and watusi poisoning were reported to the DOH.

Of the number, 613 cases were related to fireworks, 15 to stray bullets, and two to watusi poisoning. – Sheila Crisostomo