The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday, March 31, urged devotees, who performed acts of penitence during the Holy Week, to undergo medical check-ups due to possible tetanus infection.
DOH spokesperson Eric Tayag told DZRH News that the cuts or wounds obtained through self-flagellation or whipping one's self increase the risk of tetanus infection.
"Marami sa kanila ang nagpenitensya at talagang nagkaroon sila ng sugat sa likod, sa pamamalo nila, kailangan nila patingnan yung sugat at baka maiuwi sa tetano. Hindi iyan maganda," he said.
Tayag warned that an individual may experience the symptoms of tetanus within three days.
According to the DOH spokesperson, the symptoms include immovable muscles in one's jaw, convulsions, and breathing difficulties.
"Kapag natamaan yung ating paghinga, ayun ang dahilan kung bakit may namamatay sa ganoon," Tayag said.
He urged devotees who performed pentience to receive an anti-tetanus vaccine. "Tama, magpabakuna. Eh yung iba kasi lumulusong sa tubig dagat at may natural healing kasi yung tubig-dagat, gagaling daw yung sugat nila. Pero mas maganda na magpatingin pa rin ng sugat."
