WHILE everyone in the world's sitting on the edge of their seats regarding the latest updates for the Covid-19 vaccines, I had a tiny battle with myself on whether or not I should get a tetanus injection after a street cat scratched the pad of my thumb.
It wasn't a big gash but it was deep enough to draw blood through broken skin that was about 2cm long. It was painful and dramatic because of the bleeding from a cut so small.
In all proportions of importance, it seemed like a no-brainer — just get that tetanus shot and be done with it. What's there to think about, right? Wrong!
Here's the thing about being a caregiver: You know exactly what to say and do for others. But somehow when the role is reversed and you need to make the decisions for yourself, you falter and even doubt.
Suddenly, I began asking questions like whether it's really necessary to get that jab. It's just a small scratch and doesn't look serious. I've washed it and applied all sorts of antiseptic cream followed by antibiotic cream.
And yes, when you've been a caregiver for as long as I have (more than three decades), you'd probably have a medicine cupboard resembling a mini dispensary complete with all manner of disinfectants, over-the counter medications, dressing, and plasters etc.
It has become a standard procedure for me to mitigate minor disasters at home without panicking and rushing to the hospital's emergency room with each episode.
This is especially important during the pandemic where you just want to reduce your exposure to any hospital unless you absolutely need medical attention.
My medicine cabinet is well stocked up, just like my pantry. Everything's up to date and all expired items have been disposed. However, when it comes to vaccines, I just have to see the doctor for that.
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
When you think of tetanus, you'd think of rusty nails and lockjaw, and that's the only time you'd need to take the injection. What we need to remember is that tetanus injection is necessary, especially when you have an injury that has broken your skin and your vaccinations aren't up to date.
Because of the triple antigen immunisation and the following booster shots that we've been given as children, tetanus has become a rare condition, but it's serious if you get it. It can be fatal if untreated.
One article in WebMD said: "Tetanus bacteria are found in soil, dust and manure. It gets into the body through breaks in the skin, including punctures, cuts or sores on the skin, burn, and animal bites or scratches."
Tetanus may be the furthest concern from our minds. However, people who work with soil and manure like garden enthusiasts, as well as those who deal with pets, should remember they could be at risk if they've not had a tetanus shot in the last five to 10 years.
It's been reported that 10 to 20 per cent of tetanus cases are fatal. Deaths are more common in people who are older than 60, or who have diabetes. According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC): "Tetanus is very dangerous. It can cause breathing problems, muscle spasms, trouble swallowing, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, and paralysis (unable to move parts of the body). Muscle spasms can be strong enough to break a child's spine or other bones."
It added that it can take months to recover fully from tetanus. A child might need weeks of hospital care. As many as 1one out of 5five people who get tetanus dies. After reading these articles and when I finally saw my doctor the next day, I still felt rather sheepish when I gingerly showed her my injured thumb.
"Do I need a tetanus jab?" I asked. She winced when she saw the wound.
"What caused it? When was the last time you had a tetanus shot?" she asked.
When I told her it was a street cat that scratched me and my last jab was certainly more than 10 years ago, she advised me to get the jab and that it was better to be safe than sorry.
Some people may be nervous about any vaccination and choose not to receive it. It's best to understand how it works. Discuss any concerns with your doctors and make informed decisions.
The World Health Organisation says it now has "vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases, helping people of all ages live longer, healthier lives. Immunisation currently prevents two to three million deaths every year from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles."
Tetanus is different from other vaccine-preventable diseases because it doesn't spread from person to person.
[The views expressed here are entirely the writer's own.]
Putri Juneita Johari volunteers for the Special Children Society of Ampang. She can be reached at juneitajohari@yahoo.com.