While the New Year revelry has ended, the Department of Health (DOH) remains on alert, this time against possible cases of tetanus stemming from fireworks injuries.
 
The DOH on Monday appealed to residents who sustained “minor” injuries from firecracker blasts to go to their health centers or hospitals to check for signs of tetanus.
 
National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Eric Tayag said people should not belittle wounds from firecracker blasts as symptoms of tetanus tend to show up after a few days, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported.
 
He cautioned people against being complacent just because they did not immediately feel pain after being wounded by firecrackers.
 
Last Saturday, DOH undersecretary Elmer Punzalan had said they will be particularly on alert for tetanus, which he said can bring complications.
 
“Minsan may complication ang tetanus ... mag-effect yan after na-injure,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio last weekend.
 
The eMedicineHealth.com website described tetanus as an infectious disease caused by contamination of wounds from the bacteria Clostridium tetani, or the spores they produce that live in the soil as well as animal feces.
 
Tetanus infection follows when spores bacteria that produce a very powerful toxin (tetanospasmin) that affects the muscles.
 
“Tetanus results in severe, uncontrollable muscle spasms. For example, the jaw is ‘locked’ by muscle spasms, causing the disease to sometimes be called ‘lockjaw.’ In severe cases, the muscles used to breathe can spasm, causing a lack of oxygen to the brain and other organs that may possibly lead to death,” it said. - VVP, GMA News