Overview
Animal and human bites can cause injuries that range from minor scratches to severe wounds. These bites carry a high risk of infection due to bacteria present in saliva and can sometimes transmit serious diseases such as rabies. Prompt cleaning and medical evaluation are important to reduce complications.
Symptoms
Pain and tenderness at the bite site Redness and swelling Bleeding Pus or discharge (sign of infection) Fever or chills (possible systemic infection) Numbness or loss of function in the affected area
Causes
Bites can be caused by:
Domestic animals (dogs, cats) Wild animals (bats, raccoons, foxes) Humans during fights or accidents
Diagnosis
Physical examination of the wound Review of bite circumstances (type of animal, vaccination status) Wound swabs for bacterial culture (if infection suspected) Blood tests if systemic infection is suspected
Treatment
Immediate washing of the wound with soap and water Application of antiseptic solutions Antibiotics to prevent or treat infection Tetanus vaccination if not up to date Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis if needed Surgical cleaning or repair for deep wounds
Complications
Local wound infection Cellulitis Sepsis Tendon, joint, or bone infections Transmission of rabies or hepatitis B (in human bites)
Prevention
Avoid contact with unfamiliar animals Supervise children around pets Vaccinate pets against rabies Use protective equipment if working with animals Practice safe behavior to avoid fights or biting incidents