Managing bite wounds. Currently recommended antibiotics for treatment and prophylaxis.
Animal and human bites are common in the United States. Although evidence-based practice guidelines have not been developed, bite wounds warrant an organized, standardized approach to care to help prevent complications. Such an approach involves first eliciting a history of the circumstances surrounding the bite and the patient's medical history. Next, basic bite wound care should be performed, including cleansing and irrigation of the wound. A good understanding of bite wound bacteriology and the situations in which antibiotics may be indicated is important. Finally, rabies and tetanus prophylaxis should be considered and appropriate follow-up care ensured.
Division of Infectious Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland 97239, USA. taplitzr@ohsu.edu
Randy A
RA
Taplitz
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications*; D001734:Bites, Human / Q000150:complications; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D011818:Rabies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D013742:Tetanus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014481:United States; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011819:Rabies Vaccines; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid