Hello, I am wondering if I may have a mild form of tetanus. I impaled the sole of my foot about 3 weeks ago on a metal belt-buckle tine ( about 1/4 in in diameter and 3/4 in long). There was no bleeding so I initially didn t think it pierced the skin although I could feel and hear it enter, like an awl through leather. After looking at the wound under a microscope light I could see a clear + shaped entry. It produced a rather large bruise on the top of my foot for a week or so but that was it. I didn t think anything of it at the time but since have had weird symptoms including: sudden lump in throat and trouble swallowing ( went for dinner with my girlfriend last week and coudn t eat - thought I was going to choke so got a doggie bag) - I thought maybe strep so got anti-b s for that yesterday. Trouble is the swab won t be accurate as I self-medicated with some penicillin I had in the house for a couple of days prior trying to relieve my symptoms. Also, a severe and sudden onset of back pain lasting several days, x-rays showed nothing and it eventually subsided. Slight temp for several days now and also I have frequent ( every 15 - 30 min ) of flash heat/sweating and I know its not menopause as I just had my hormones checked and all is normal. I thought after 6 doses of anti-b s all would be fine but no. I feel like crap, can t get up in the morn and just want to know if I should be thinking of tetanus as the culprit. I don t think I ve had a tetanus shot for about 8 years or more. Had stitches about 7 years ago and remember telling the ER staff that I had had tetanus a couple of years prior so didn t get another at that time. Should I be concerned? The initial wound on the sole of my foot is pretty much healed, no infection that I can tell...a little tender but I am walking on it...just a 1/4 in scab under the skin. Do you think I should go back to the doc? I meant to ask about the foot injury at my last visit but thought it would sound silly. thanx