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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cramps In Legs And Thighs
Question: How do you distinguish between bad muscle cramps and bacterial tetanus? My partner has had severe cramps in his leg and thigh muscles (front and back) the past two nights. The cramps last about 10-20 minutes and then he can walk them off. He is worried it is tetanus. We are not sure when his last tetanus shot was. He thinks it may have been more than 5 years ago. How can we be sure it is simple electrolyte problems?
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Brief Answer:
history of a wound, other symptoms- lock jaw, neck stiffness, muscle rigid
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
There are various differences: (1)tetanus would follow a wound infection. This bacterial infection occurs after a wound has been infected by the bacterial clostridium tetani
(2)there would be additional symptoms- tetanus is associated with additional symptoms
Initial sore throat with difficulty swallowing
lock jaw, neck stiffness, muscle rigidity/stiffness in a descending pattern from the face/jaw over a 24 to 48 hour period
In addition there is increased temperature, sweating, increased blood pressure.
The symptoms would not go away spontaneously as with your partner, there would be progression.
Based on this, unless these other symptoms are present then he does not have tetanus
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
history of a wound, other symptoms- lock jaw, neck stiffness, muscle rigid
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
There are various differences: (1)tetanus would follow a wound infection. This bacterial infection occurs after a wound has been infected by the bacterial clostridium tetani
(2)there would be additional symptoms- tetanus is associated with additional symptoms
Initial sore throat with difficulty swallowing
lock jaw, neck stiffness, muscle rigidity/stiffness in a descending pattern from the face/jaw over a 24 to 48 hour period
In addition there is increased temperature, sweating, increased blood pressure.
The symptoms would not go away spontaneously as with your partner, there would be progression.
Based on this, unless these other symptoms are present then he does not have tetanus
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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