Support Services Handout Series
Number 1003 Student Health Information Sheet
Care of Bites: Human and Animal

Injuries produced by animal or human bites may cause punctures and/or lacerations usually jagged. Pieces of tissue may be torn away in severe bites. Not only is care needed for open wounds but also consideration must be given to the danger of infection, especially from rabies.

HUMAN:
Human bites that break the skin may become seriously infected, because the mouth is heavily contaminated with bacteria and viruses. Cleanse the wound thoroughly, cover it and have a doctor examine and treat the wound.

ANIMAL:
The bite of any animal, whether it is a wild animal or a pet, may result in an open wound. Dog and cat bites are common. Although a dog bite is likely to cause more extensive tissue damage than a cat bite, the cat bite may be more dangerous, because a wider variety of bacteria is usually present in the mouth of a cat. Many wild animals, especially bats, raccoons and skunks, transmit rabies. Tetanus is an added danger in animal bites. Any animal bite carries a great risk of infection, and there is no known cure for rabies once its final-stage symptoms develop. If the animal proves to be rabid, vaccine therapy must be given to build up body immunity in the victim in time to prevent the disease. Unprovoked bites (especially from a dog) raise greater suspicion than if animal is provoked or teased. The biting animal must be confined and observed 10 days, so the local health department and/or police must be notified. A biting animal which cannot be apprehended must be presumed to have rabies, and the victim will require preventive rabies shots. Bites on the fingers and the face are more dangerous.

FOLLOW UP OF ANY ANIMAL OR HUMAN BITE WHICH BREAKS THE SKIN:

1. With an animal bite, notify the local police and/or health department of the bite and keep the animal under observation for at least ten days.
2. Do not kill the animal unless absolutely necessary. If the animal has to be killed, have the body examined for rabies after taking care not to damage the animal's head.
3. With an animal bite, wash and irrigate the wound with copious amounts of soap and water, cover with a loose, dry dressing and have the victim avoid using the affected body part until examined by a doctor.
4. Have a doctor examine all but the most minor (skin unbroken) animal or human bites. Take the date of last tetanus shot to the doctor at the time of examination.
5. If the biting animal cannot be found and observed arrange for immediate follow up with preventive rabies shots.

Developed by: Jan Kemper and Brenda Thaxton

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