Could i have lockjaw, or is this just a cold?

by Symptom Advice on December 18, 2010

About 5 days ago i was riding my bike and when i came a cross a hill i decided to walk up it. When i go off my bike i cut my elbow on a rusty fence.
The cut was not very deep. i quickly rode to a near by school (which took me 10min) and used the soap they had and washed the cut.
I know one of the symptoms and a few things i noticed i had today are:
-Sore throat
-Fever
– and earlier today i had a pain in my chest making it hard to breath for a few min
I know i need to to have a tetanus shot ( it's Ben 5 yrs since)

It is very unlikely as the bacteria that causes tetanus is an anaerobic bacteria (grows in the absence of oxygen), therefore deep (puncture) wounds are much more worrisome. Early symptoms include facial muscle spasms and stiff jaw, stiff neck. symptoms usually appear between 5-15 days. Washing the wound was a good idea.

Tetanus boosters are good 10 years so you are covered. Rust does not cause tetanus, rust is just oxidized metal; the spores of a bacteria cause tetanus (Clostridium tetani). these spores are found in soil (things often rust in soil-that's why rustry things are associated with tetanus–but other things not rusted can cause tetanus as well).

You may have something else though–like a respiratory infection.

if you have tetnus your screwed .you should have gone immediatly to e.r. and got tetnus booster. they are good for ten years, it might not be too late go. even if you can't pay. go to community hospital. they cannot turn you away. get booster.

The cut would have to be deep for you to get lockjaw. Symptoms would not be showing yet probably anyways, typically symptoms develop 14 days after you contract the infection.

Go to the ER ASAP!!! You don't want to mess around with lock-jaw, it's very deadly. Don't mean to alarm you, but you have some sort of infection if you have a fever.

OH GOD…YOU HAVE LOCKJAW…MY FRIEND DID THE SAME THING AS YOU..YOU HAVE LOCKJAW..LOCKJAW IS COMING AFTER YOU…RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN

Although it does like you have any infection of some type I am almost certain it is from your throat and not the cut. your tetanus shot is good for 10 years in a healthy person especially under 21. Lockjaw is a disease caused by rusty metal but the actual name in itself should be self explanatory. Anyone can find it hard to breathe once in awhile for who knows what reason, but the chances are if you had any infection in your lungs you would be having it every time you tried to breathe in and not just once. calm down and try to enjoy the holiday tomorrow. take a fever reducer and try some tea with honey to soothe your throat if you want. Get a good night sleep and maybe by tomorrow you'll feel better. good luck and God Bless

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