Nasty cut gets nastier stitches

mercedes10 · Apr 15th, 2007, 19:42

Glad to hear you're recovering! I had the 'pleasure' of visiting a general hospital in India too and it was not fun!!

Did you get the stitches re-done elsewhere? The nature of the stitching has a huge impact on the subsequent scar. Hope you got more professional ones done. But the main thing is you're ok!!

Is there any particular reason you didn't get a tetanus shot??

Maz 1979 · Apr 15th, 2007, 21:01

I know this will sound silly beyond all belief but i have had plenty of Tetanus shots but everybody i ask doesn't actually know what Tetanus is? Can anybody explain in basic terms to me what it is and what it does that is so bad? I know i could google but some of the answers i get are far too medical for my brain to handle

ananda2193 · Apr 15th, 2007, 21:02

Years ago I was working in Tel Aviv and I got hit by a car crossing the street. Got slammed pretty good but nothing broken.

I think due to the fact that I drink alot of milk. Got some stitches in my head and my left leg was twice the size of my right. Couldn't walk for about a week. A week later was supposed to get the stitches out but didn't go. The next day started felling sick with fever and my right elbow was hurting. Took a nap and woke up and had a strong fever and my elbow was really painful and swollen I couldn't move it.Went to the hospital to get the stitches out and said "by the way, look at my elbow,it's messed up". They saw it and kind of freaked out because it was really swollen. Appearantly I had a little cut on my elbow that I didn't notice after the accident that became infected. They had to slice it open and squeeze all the puss out.

And because of that cut I spent 4 day's in the Hospital until my fever went away.

Nick-H · Apr 15th, 2007, 21:26

Tetanus is commonly known as lock-jaw.

It is a disease found in soil which enters the body through a wound --- it causes the muscles of the body to go into spasm, causing paralysis, sufocation and death.

I'm sure you can find a more accurate and scientific explanation courtesy of google --- but I think of the essence of it about right.

Not nice.

Noodle · Apr 15th, 2007, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maz 1979

i have had plenty of Tetanus shots

When was your last one? Your usually good for 5 years. But with really nasty cuts and if unsure when the last one was given doctor's usually just give another one.

I also wonder why the op didn't get one.

A couple of pretty pictures at Wikipedia are here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetanus

Nick, the disease isn't found in the soil - the bacteria Clostridium tetani is

sirensongs · Apr 15th, 2007, 22:20

Cotton thread sounds really, really unsanitary for stitches. The state o' the art in the west is some kind of sterile plastic (completely neutral and can't hold germs).

Please go ahead and get the tetanus jab anyhoo! (worried look)

My new age friends who insist vaccines are "dangerous" have ended up nearly dying - really - of typhoid (in Varanasi) and hepatitis (in Cambodia).

CliveG · Apr 15th, 2007, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Tetanus is commonly known as lock-jaw.

It is a disease found in soil which enters the body through a wound --- it causes the muscles of the body to go into spasm, causing paralysis, sufocation and death.

I'm sure you can find a more accurate and scientific explanation courtesy of google --- but I think of the essence of it about right.

Not nice.

Tetanus is caused by an anaerobic bacteria- called Clostridium Tetani and as Nick said it is often found in soil. Being an anaerobe it does not like oxygen so will only survive in closed wounds such as when you prick yourself on a rose thorn and the wound closes. Any wound that closes like that should not be ignored.

Nick-H · Apr 15th, 2007, 23:31

the bacteria that causes the disease --- is what I meant

There's never any harm in getting a jab, although Sepp seems to think he's had plenty.

After Mrs N's fall that evening when we met [with Siren songs] in Chennai tetanus did not occur to us. She wasn't actually cut, just grazed and bruised. When it eventually did occur to us they said at the hospital that it had to be within 24 hours (errr... or was that 7 days? ), so it was too late for this time but, Jab! might as well have it now for next time...

Clive... never realised that at all. Thanks for that information. Might save my life one day!!!

Noodle · Apr 15th, 2007, 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

they said at the hospital that it had to be within 24 hours (errr... or was that 7 days? ), so it was too late for this time

Sorry to be a nag, but I don't think that's true cause mild cases of tetanus are actually treated with tetanus vaccination (among other meds).

CliveG · Apr 16th, 2007, 00:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodle

Sorry to be a nag, but I don't think that's true cause mild cases of tetanus are actually treated with tetanus vaccination (among other meds).

Noodle is correct. While symptons of Tetanus usually arise within 2-14 days of injury it can be up to 2 months so a doctor may give a post injury tetanus vaccination some time after the injury if it is thought there is a risk of tetanus. So there is no definitive time limit for giving an injection. A doctor may also decide to give a course of antibiotics to kill any possible infection. If there are symptoms then antibiotics and tetanus immuno globulin (which supresses the neurotoxins that cause the muscle spasms) will be prescribed.

edwardseco · Apr 16th, 2007, 00:27

Another great idea is to leave the stitches and get too busy to take them out. Ended up with a nasty scar that way..

Nick-H · Apr 16th, 2007, 00:27

Quite possibly!

It wouldn't be the first mistake a doc ever made...

Anyway, we got the shot.

It sounds, from what Clive told us, that a graze, being a very open wound, but not be a nice place for these bacteria. However, there would always be the possibility of small pieces of grit below the surface.

Over a year ago now....

CliveG · Apr 16th, 2007, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Quite possibly!

It sounds, from what Clive told us, that a graze, being a very open wound, but not be a nice place for these bacteria. However, there would always be the possibility of small pieces of grit below the surface.

True - it is difficult to see how deep a wound has gone and whether it has closed over. In many cases of tetanus the sufferers are not aware that they had a wound as there are no visible signs. Gardeners used to be the most prone o tetanus. Rose bushes with manure around then are an excellent potential source of tetanus. The rose thorns have the bactierial spores on them. You prick your finger on the thorn and hey presto perfect environment for the bacteria.

Solution - give up gardening!

Noodle · Apr 16th, 2007, 00:51

Are these bacteria always in every soil and on every rose thorn? Or are they rather rare?

CliveG · Apr 16th, 2007, 01:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodle

Are these bacteria always in every soil and on every rose thorn? Or are they rather rare?

No the bacteria is not on everything or in all soil or sitting on every rose thorn but it is quite common. If you have had a tetanus jab then you have little to worry about but if, for whatever reason, you have not had a jab then gardening could cause problems if you prick your finger or put a fork through your foot etc.! This is especially true if you used natural manure. The bacteria is genrally in a spore state when it is in the soil (ie in a form of hibernation)and it is only when devoid of oxygen and in the right environment will it break out of the spore and multiply.
Gardening used to be considered one of the most dangerous past times because of the risk of infection.

After 30 odd years I knew my degree in microbiology would one day be useful.

Apr 15th, 2007, 21:01	#17
Maz 1979 Monkey Bait Join Date: May 2004 Location: London Posts: 151	Tetanus? I know this will sound silly beyond all belief but i have had plenty of Tetanus shots but everybody i ask doesn't actually know what Tetanus is? Can anybody explain in basic terms to me what it is and what it does that is so bad? I know i could google but some of the answers i get are far too medical for my brain to handle __________________ India

Apr 15th, 2007, 21:26	#19
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,426	Tetanus is commonly known as lock-jaw. It is a disease found in soil which enters the body through a wound --- it causes the muscles of the body to go into spasm, causing paralysis, sufocation and death. I'm sure you can find a more accurate and scientific explanation courtesy of google --- but I think of the essence of it about right. Not nice. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Apr 15th, 2007, 22:20	#21
sirensongs Eeny meeny mango Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: All India Permit (somewhere between Delhi & Dharamsala) Posts: 1,213	Cotton thread sounds really, really unsanitary for stitches. The state o' the art in the west is some kind of sterile plastic (completely neutral and can't hold germs). Please go ahead and get the tetanus jab anyhoo! (worried look) My new age friends who insist vaccines are "dangerous" have ended up nearly dying - really - of typhoid (in Varanasi) and hepatitis (in Cambodia). __________________ *"Why do people go to India to find themselves? India is where you go to lose* yourself."** Feringhee: The India Diaries

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Apr 15th, 2007, 19:42	#16
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Glad to hear you're recovering! I had the 'pleasure' of visiting a general hospital in India too and it was not fun!! Did you get the stitches re-done elsewhere? The nature of the stitching has a huge impact on the subsequent scar. Hope you got more professional ones done. But the main thing is you're ok!! Is there any particular reason you didn't get a tetanus shot??

Apr 15th, 2007, 21:02	#18
ananda2193 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: you essay Posts: 1,616	Years ago I was working in Tel Aviv and I got hit by a car crossing the street. Got slammed pretty good but nothing broken. I think due to the fact that I drink alot of milk. Got some stitches in my head and my left leg was twice the size of my right. Couldn't walk for about a week. A week later was supposed to get the stitches out but didn't go. The next day started felling sick with fever and my right elbow was hurting. Took a nap and woke up and had a strong fever and my elbow was really painful and swollen I couldn't move it.Went to the hospital to get the stitches out and said "by the way, look at my elbow,it's messed up". They saw it and kind of freaked out because it was really swollen. Appearantly I had a little cut on my elbow that I didn't notice after the accident that became infected. They had to slice it open and squeeze all the puss out. And because of that cut I spent 4 day's in the Hospital until my fever went away.

Apr 15th, 2007, 23:31	#23
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,426	the bacteria that causes the disease --- is what I meant There's never any harm in getting a jab, although Sepp seems to think he's had plenty. After Mrs N's fall that evening when we met [with Siren songs] in Chennai tetanus did not occur to us. She wasn't actually cut, just grazed and bruised. When it eventually did occur to us they said at the hospital that it had to be within 24 hours (errr... or was that 7 days? ), so it was too late for this time but, Jab! might as well have it now for next time... Clive... never realised that at all. Thanks for that information. Might save my life one day!!!

Apr 16th, 2007, 00:27	#26
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,436	Another great idea is to leave the stitches and get too busy to take them out. Ended up with a nasty scar that way..

Apr 16th, 2007, 00:51	#29
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,026	Are these bacteria always in every soil and on every rose thorn? Or are they rather rare?

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