Emergency services - STEP ON A NAIL--GET A VIRUS?

Author

STEP ON A NAIL--GET A VIRUS?

barb28@rock.com

2005-06-29, 8:58 am

Hello, my son recently stepped on a piece
of metal, and was given a tetnus booster
and antibiotics. I was wondering if people
can get a virus from stepping on a nail or
tack or metal? I hear about tetnus (which is
a bacteria I think), and "blood poisoning" which
is from bacteria...but nobody every mentions
viruses? Why is thist? Just curious.

Also, I was wondering, when a person gets a
puncture wound, should they sqeeze it to make
it bleed more (i.e. in an attempt to clean it
out or get the germs out?). I had heard this and
didn't know.

Please respond publically here so everyone else
can read. Thanks!

wb228

2005-06-29, 11:52 am

Hello - First some information on Tetanus:

Tetanus is a serious infection of the nervous system caused by the germ
Clostridium tetani, which is usually found in cultivated soil and
manure. Clostridium tetani forms tough spores that can survive for many
years. If these spores get into a deep wound, they can germinate.
Once this happens the germ produces a powerful poison called
tetanospasmin toxin which damages the nervous system and can cause
death.

Tetanus is commonly known as ‘lockjaw’ because of its characteristic
symptoms which include tightening of the muscles in the face.

Today tetanus has been largely eliminated by immunisation, higher
hygiene standards, better medical services and the mechanisation of
farming. As a result, it is very rare in the UK although it is still a
common cause of death in developing countries. Modern methods of
treatment have reduced the death rate from 60 per cent to about 20 per
cent of those that become infected. However, in the developing world
death rates from the infection are still around 50%.

Other infections are possible with any open cut, it largely depends on
what the person is exposed to. For example, the HIV virus will die
quickly when out of a living host, however Hepatitus

Cleaning any wound to prevent infection:

Dressing the wound with a plaster or other dressing helps prevent
infection getting in as well as help with clotting and not bleeding
over everything. However, before you cover a wound, you should clean
it, which will also help with preventing infection.

* Wash and dry your hands thoroughly,

* Tell the person what you are doing,

* Make sure they are sitting or laying down,

* Clean the wound under running tap water– you can use an
alcohol-free wipe, but don’t use antiseptic because it may damage the
skin,

* Pat the area dry with a clean towel, and

* Apply a sterile dressing such as a plaster.

If you’re unsure how serious your injury is, it’s best to get a doctor
to check it, to be on the safe side. They will need to examine deep
cuts to find out how serious they are, and clean the wounds very
thoroughly before stitching them up. It is worth seeking medical advice
if:

* The injury doesn’t stop bleeding;

* The injury is very large or very deep;

* The injury was caused by a bite (all animal and human bites need
medical attention);

* There is something embedded (stuck) in the wound;

* The injury is on a joint crease or to an artery;

* It’s red, sore and painful or has pus coming out (it may be
infected); or

* The injury is an old wound that looks like it might be infected.

A good resource for First Aid for wounds (including puncture wounds)
see
http://www.firstaidcafe.co.uk/ap/FA...dingexternal.as
p

Hope this helps.

-----
Wayne Badcock
Emergency Ambulance Attendant
St. John Ambulance - Cambridgeshire UK