Infections and treatment of wounds in survivors of the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand.

International Wound Journal
Pawinee Doung-ngernChuleeporn Jiraphongsa

Abstract

On 26 December 2004, a tsunami devastated the west coast of Thailand and caused 8457 injuries and 5395 deaths. Data were collected from 26 December 2004 to 31 January 2005 at four public hospitals to describe the character and treatment of wounds of 523 persons who were injured during tsunami and sought medical treatment. Wounds were contaminated with mud, sand, debris and sea water and had an infection rate of 66.5% (674/1013). Most wounds (45%) had poly-microbial infection with gram-negative rods such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus and Pseudomonas species. The risk of wound infection increased with size of the wound and presence of an open fracture. Infections occurred more frequently on the lower than upper trunk of the body. Early treatment with antibiotics was protective against wound infection. Many patients asked to have their wounds sutured so that they could return to their village to look for their families and to repair damage. This report suggests that wounds should be aggressively debrided and suturing postponed if possible. Patients should be given broad spectrum antibiotics to assist with wound healing.

References

Oct 19, 2005·Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·Narin HiransuthikulPaitoon Boonma
Oct 19, 2005·Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·Dennis L StevensUNKNOWN Infectious Diseases Society of America
Jan 5, 2006·Journal of Clinical Microbiology·Vanaporn WuthiekanunSharon J Peacock
Jun 27, 2006·Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases·Owe KällmanAke Ortqvist

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 10, 2015·Prehospital and Disaster Medicine·Frank StadlerPeter Tatham
Jun 21, 2011·Journal of Pediatric Surgery·Cathy Burnweit, Steven Stylianos
Jul 15, 2015·American Journal of Clinical Dermatology·Justin P BandinoScott A Norton
Aug 3, 2014·World Journal of Surgery·Prasit WuthisuthimethaweeRussell L Gruen

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antifungals (ASM)

An antifungal, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and others. Discover the latest research on antifungals here.

Antifungals

An antifungal, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and others. Discover the latest research on antifungals here.