17 yo son, very grazed face. Tetanus?

[BringBackCatsEyes]

17 yo son fainted and face planted a train platform this afternoon.
I wasn't there.
He has six 10p size grazes on his face - weepy and sore.
Train staff called 999 and DS spoke to handler to ascertain his state.
Determined he didn't need hosp. Am on concussion watch!
He was cleaned up.

My Q is about tetanus. He should have had a booster 3 years ago. I'm confident he did - cos he's had them all. He doesn't have NHS app.

On the off chance he needs a booster, the internet says he has 48 hours to get it.
I can't contact the surgery until Tuesday to check his record, which will be within the 48hr window.

WWYD? I think this will be OK. The alternative is to call 111 who may be able to access his records.

Can you not phone 111?

Yes I can, but am wondering if it's a bit OTT?

He needs a 12 lead ECG to rule out a cardiac cause for the faint.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/QS71/chapter/quality-statement-2-initial-assessment-12-lead-electrocardiogram-ecg

No that’s what they are there for, out of hours medical issues. You could ask a pharmacist tomorrow if you have one near you but I don’t know if they can answer

I have never heard of this for a faint. Haven't most people fainted at some point?

And wouldn't the 999 handler have advised that and taken him in?

no -fainting is not normal. I'm in my 70's, have always had low blood pressure, have never fainted in my life, nor have any of my adult DC.

Most young adults who die from Sudden adult death syndrome will never have had a 12 lead ECG (unless they've needed a pre-op at some point) therefore a syncope (faint) my be the only warning. This policy is to try and identify those people who collapse due to a cardiac cause and get them the treatment they need.

Why did he faint?
Why does he need tetanus shot if just a graze? Did he fall on rusty nail?
But call 111 get out of hours appt with
Minor injuries if you concerned

He should be fine re tetanus.
Agree he needs his heart checking though. A friend fainted last year, was checked out, and does have a heart abnormality.
It could be that his blood pressure was just a bit low, but it should be checked out.

It doesn’t sound like there would be a huge tetanus risk here? Mostly they are done for animal bites or of the wound is deep or contaminated. It sounds like a grazed face so no. But yes to separately investigating the cause of the feint.

He skipped breakfast.
I thought rail platform tarmac would require tetanus

If you are worried about cardiac risk and the GP won’t offer an ecg you could look at having him tested with CRY (the cardiac risk in the young charity) and get a free appointment with them. I did this with some friends when younger.

OK - but it's not unusual.

Ignore medical advice given by randoms on the internet. Do what you were advised by actual medical professionals. I know lots of people who’ve fainted for various reasons. Most of my family do if they’re hot and stood still for more than 5 mins.

As for tetanus, I’d speak to 111. I expect they’d have advised the jab if needed.

You can faint for low blood sugar, esp in the mornings. Used to have this in my family....

Well I wasn't worried about cardiac risk before I started this thread.
I'm wondering why they didn't take him in for this 12 lead ECG. Surely they've been utterly negligent if this is a requirement for any faint?

Oh, and there’s zero family history of heart problems in my family. They’re just a bunch of fainters. I’m lucky cos I only faint if I give blood without drinking enough water.

No fainting is not normal.

My 21yo fainted at the beginning of the year and had a short seizure (10-15 seconds). I called 999. Stayed on line with them until he gained consciousness.

When paramedics arrived they did all the checks.

When they say him up his BP plummeted and he lost consciousness again and was admitted to hospital and had numerous ecgs, CT can, blood and urine tests and kept in overnight.

They would have. The actual medical professionals who spoke to him are happy that he’s not at risk so doesn’t need it.

Yup....DS said he spoke to 999 person for ages and they were happy - with the usual concussion checks.

I have fainted a few times. I am fine health.

I’ve no idea what should be recommended to be honest. But I knew someone who died suddenly at home in their early 30s and the CRY charity popped up when I looked into it at the time. It’s just a simple check anyone in the right age bracket can do, it’s like booking blood donation. Fainting happens to some people but if you end up worried you could always check

That is very different. I hope you your son is OK now.

That’s not the same as what happened to OPs son though

I think it's pretty unusual to faint. Skipping breakfast alone wouldn't cause that.
I think he should get checked out.
Has it happened before? If so, even more reason to see someone about it. If not then he he must be worried about why it happened.

I'm coming off this thread now.

My son fainted, emergency services were called, were happy with him. I asked about tetanus and now the thread is being filled with stories about sudden deaths.