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Electric shock

Vėjūna Guzulaitytė, I k., 9 gr.

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Electric shock occurs upon contact of a (human) body with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the

skin, muscles, or hair.

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Adolescents and adults are prone to high voltage shock caused by mischievous exploration and exposure at work. About 1,000 people in the United States die each

year as a result of electrocution. Most of these deaths are related to on-the-job injuries.

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Many variables determine what injuries may occur, if any. These variables include:

• the type of current (AC or DC); • the amount of current (determined by the

voltage of the source and the resistance of the tissues involved);

• the pathway the electricity takes through the body.

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If a person is going to help someone who has sustained a high voltage shock, he or she needs to be very careful that they don't

become a second victim of a similar electrical shock.

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Children are not often seriously injured by electricity. They are prone to shock by the low voltage (110-220 volts) found in typical household current. In children aged 12 years and

younger, household appliance electrical cords and extension cords caused more than 63% of injuries in one study. Wall outlets were responsible for 15% of injuries.

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Lightening injuries, an unusual form of electric shock, may show external burns, but injure or kill due to cardiac or respiratory arrest; neurologic injury is common. Other injuries are

due to muscle contractions or trauma from explosive forces (for example, tree sap and fluid being superheated and trees blown apart due to steam pressure).

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Symptoms:

• Burns • Other injuries. Consideration should be given

to the possibility of a spine injury. The person may have internal injuries.

• Broken bones.• Burn on the lip. The area has a red or dark,

charred appearance.

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Following a low-voltage shock, call the doctor for the following reasons:

• If it has been more than 5 years since the affected person's last tetanus booster;

• Burns that are not healing well; • Burns with increasing redness, soreness, or

drainage; • Any electric shock in a woman who is

pregnant.

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Following a low-voltage shock, a person go to the Emergency Department for the following concerns:

• Any noticeable burn to the skin; • Any period of unconsciousness; • Any numbness, tingling, paralysis, vision,

hearing, or speech problems; • Any electric shock if a woman is more than 20

weeks' pregnant; • Any other worrisome symptoms.

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The doctor may order various tests depending on the history and physical examination. Tests

may include any or none of the following:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG); • Complete blood count;• Urine test;• X-rays; • CT scan.

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Treatment

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Treatment of electric shock depends on the severity of the burns or the nature of other

injuries found.

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Burns are treated according to severity.

– Minor burns may be treated with topical antibiotic ointment and dressings.

– More severe burns may require surgery to clean the wounds or even skin grafting.

– Severe burns on the arms, legs, or hands may require surgery to remove damaged muscle or even amputation.

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Other injuries may require treatment.

– Eye injuries may require examination and treatment by an ophthalmologist, an eye specialist.

– Broken bones require splinting, casting, or surgery to stabilize the bones.

– Internal injuries may require observation or surgery.

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Prevention

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– Do not allow children to play with any electrical cord.

– Limit use of extension cords and be sure the cord is rated for the current (measured in amps) that will be drawn by the device being powered.

– Use outlet covers to protect infants from exploring electrical outlets.

– Update old, ungrounded electrical outlets to grounded (3-prong) systems. Replace outlets near any water (sink, tub) with fused (GFCI) outlets.

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• In children older than 12 years, most electrical injuries result from exploring and activities around high-power systems. Explain to adolescent children that they should not climb on power towers, play near transformer systems, or explore electrified train rails or other electrical systems.

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• Use caution when outdoors during a thunderstorm containing lightning. Protect yourself from lightning strikes by seeking shelter in a sturdy building or crouching low and away from trees and metal objects if caught outdoors.

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Recovery from electric shock depends on the nature and severity of the injuries. The percentage of the body surface area burned is the

most important factor affecting prognosis.

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Sourcers:

• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/electric_shock/page11_em.htm

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_shock• http://

www.healthy.net/scr/article.aspx?id=1490• http://

hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/shock.html

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