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.