Patient's question:
My baby's nails grow very fast, but as a first-time mom, I'm not too brave to cut them for her. Until a few days ago, I couldn't resist cutting them for her. But I wasn't careful and ended up hurting her. It wasn't serious—just a tiny purple blood blister the size of a grain of rice. I used alcohol to disinfect it at the time, but I still can't shake the worry. I heard from others that a tetanus shot is needed, and I'm terrified.What kind of help is needed: What are the dangers of neonatal tetanus?
Doctor's answer:
Tetanus is an acute infectious disease caused by the toxin produced when the tetanus bacterium enters a wound. It is characterized by progressive muscle rigidity with recurrent episodes of relief. If not treated promptly, the mortality rate is approximately 10 to 40%. This bacterium is widely distributed in nature and is found in soil and the feces of humans and animals. It can enter the human body through wounds, open fractures, burns, splinters, or cuts from rusty nails. If a tetanus shot is needed but not administered, there is a possibility of tetanus bacterium infection.