R1MC warns vs. tetanus
FIRECRACKER INJURIES
NEW Year revellers who were slightly injured by firecrackers should not take their wounds for granted as it could lead to the fatal effects of tetanus.
Dr. Michael Canto, spokesman of the government-owned Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan City said those who had a breakage in their skin, no matter how small, from firecrackers should immediately seek medical help and get anti-tetanus vaccine.
Canto explained that tetanus could develop within two days to months, with most cases occurring within 14 days (incubation period), and once the toxin enters the nervous system, it becomes morbid.
R1MC recorded 62 cases of firecracker-related injuries based on their monitoring from Dec. 21 2013 to Jan. 4, 2014.
The number is higher by three cases from the previous year’s record covering the same period.
There were 10 cases of blast injury that required amputation, twice the number recorded last year.
The under-10 age group comprised 44 percent of the victims, with 87 percent of the total number composed of males.
34 cases were considered active victims while 28 cases were passive.
Kwitis accounted for the highest number of firecrackers that caused injuries.—Tita Roces
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