Stepped on a rusty screw, went to hospital and was told i dont have it, but im not so sure.
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Last friday i stepped on a rusty screw while in the park. The screw had stuck to the bottom of my shoe, and then when i stepped down, it lightly punctured the heel of my foot (not deep). When i took the screw out to examine it, it was quite rusty. I didnt think much about until 2 days later when i started feeling a strange/uncomfortable sensation on the left side of my neck (particularly when swallowing). I had gone to an amusement park the day after the screw occurance, so i just assumed it was minor whip-lash from the roller coasters. Then the next day, i realized that i could not remember the last time i had my tetanus shot. It was definitely more than 10 years ago, so i checked myself into the ER. I then talked to a doctor who examined my foot (the puncture had already healed since it was a very small puncture) and she told me "I am from the Phillipines and i know what tetanus looks like. If you had gotten tatanus on friday and today is monday, you would most definitely already be seeing severe symptoms (paralysis, very big difficulty breathing, death etc...). I can tell you that you do not have tetanus." They then proceeded to give me a Tbap shot (tetanus shot) that lasts 5 years.
I was relieved to hear this, however, here is the problem: i read online that the incubation period for tetanus can range from 2 days to 2 months. And i was at the ER yesterday when she told me this, and im noticing that my jaw is getting a little bit tighter. Perhaps its because i have been opening my mouth really wide a bunch to make sure im not getting lock-jaw, but it could also be because i possible really do have tetanus.
Should i be really concerned here? Was that doctor being too presumptuous? I mean the way she diagnosed me was not exactly precise, it was more based on speculation.
If the would was basically a very small puncture, does that still mean i should still really worry?
Thanks for you answers in advance.
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brandon27573
Posted
chasingrainbows brandon27573
Posted
Hey there
Just to let you know Im pretty sure you'll be fine because you got the tet shot. The shot will make you feel a bit grotty for a few days - poss up to a week, but after that you will be back to your normal self.
The name 'Lock Jaw' is quite a confusing one - if you were at the stage where your Jaw locked up - the rest of your body would have also completely siezed up as well - you would not be able to move a musle and I believe you would be in a tremendous amount of pain. Please stop over stretching your mouth and over thinking this - you did everything right by getting the tetanus shot. You will be OK =)