Illness Caused From Dog Bites
Dogs are generally harmless, but injuries and fatalities regularly occur because of dog bites. If you are bitten by a dog, the most important thing to do is to clean the wound as soon as possible, and keep it as clean as possible until it heals.
Other People Are Reading
-
Lacerations and Bruising
-
The most common injuries resulting from a dog bite are a laceration and bruising. This occurs from the impact of the bite. Seek medical attention if you are unable to stop the bleeding or if the wound does not heal normally.
Infection
-
The most common infection is pasteurellosis, which occurs because of a bacteria that is found in the mouth of all dogs. If your wound is red or swollen, or more painful than normal, you might have an infection and should seek medical attention.
-
Fractures
-
Another common injury is fracture. Bones can break from the pressure of the bite or because the dog knocked you down while biting you. Broken bones should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible to prevent further injury.
Rabies
-
Rabies is a virus that infects dogs and can be transmitted to people. If you are bit by a dog, ask the owner to see its rabies vaccination certificate. If the dog does not have a current rabies vaccination, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Head Injuries
-
Head injuries are also common, especially in small children who are likely to be bit in the face and/or head. If a child suffers trauma to the head because of a dog bite, he should receive prompt medical attention.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
-
Many people suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after being attacked by a dog. If you are having trouble coping with your experience, it is best to talk to a medical professional to obtain advice for coping.
-
