Man with stiff jaw, tetanus from a cavity

The Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases informed that the hospital's doctors had just received a 57-year-old male patient with LCL, in a state of jaw stiffness and mild stiffness in the arms and legs.

The patient's family said that about a week before being hospitalized, Mr. L. (in Phu Tho ) He had mouth ulcers, tongue pain, and had a cavity in his upper molar number 26 that had not been treated. In the past four days, the patient had typical symptoms such as increasing jaw stiffness and slight stiffness in his arms and legs. Although he had no fever, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing, the jaw stiffness limited his ability to eat and talk. His family took him to the hospital for examination with a suspected diagnosis of tetanus, so he was transferred to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases for treatment.

At the Emergency Department, Dr. Pham Thanh Bang said the patient was admitted with a stiff jaw, mouth opening only 1 cm, tongue movement difficulty, and mild muscle hypertonia throughout the body. On-site recordings showed that tooth R26 had cavities but no pus, and the surrounding mucosa was not swollen. The patient had a history of untreated rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors diagnosed tetanus (with rheumatoid arthritis), and determined that it was highly likely that tetanus bacteria had entered through damage to the root area, especially in the decayed tooth R26.

Explaining the disease mechanism, Dr. Bang said that tooth decay creates holes and closed infection foci, creating an ideal anaerobic environment for tetanus spores to develop. Tetanus bacteria often penetrate through small lesions in the oral cavity, not only tooth decay but also through the habit of flossing, which increases the risk when using unsafe materials and not practicing daily oral hygiene. The toxin attaches to the nerves, causing continuous muscle spasms, with a typical manifestation being jaw stiffness.

According to Dr. Bang, tetanus is a disease that can be prevented by vaccination. This is the simplest, most effective and least expensive measure. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to clean oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups to detect and treat cavities promptly. People should avoid using bamboo toothpicks or sharp objects to pick their teeth, which can cause bleeding gums and create open wounds for bacteria to enter. Any open wound, no matter how small, should be washed immediately with clean water.

In case the wound is deep, dirty or shows signs of infection, it is necessary to go to a medical facility immediately for timely treatment and tetanus vaccination. In particular, high-risk groups such as children, pregnant women and people who regularly work in the fields, exposed to soil and dirt need to proactively get vaccinated to protect their health./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nguoi-dan-ong-cung-co-ham-mac-uon-van-tu-mot-chiec-rang-sau-post1064243.vnp