Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors can diagnose tetanus by examining the patient and looking for certain signs and symptoms. There are no hospital lab tests that can confirm tetanus.
Tetanus is a medical emergency requiring:
- Hospitalization
- Immediate treatment with human tetanus immune globulin (TIG) (or equine antitoxin)
- Tetanus vaccine
- Drugs to control muscle spasms
- Aggressive wound care
- Antibiotics
Depending on how severe the infection is, a machine to help you breathe may be required. A tetanus vaccine should be given along with treatment.
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