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- $Unique_ID{BRK02329}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Are Bites from People Worse than Animal Bites?}
- $Subject{accidents violence mouth teeth humans human bites bite biting tetanus
- shot shots animal animals infection infections infected accident}
- $Volume{O-11}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1992,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Are Bites from People Worse than Animal Bites?
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- QUESTION: We were a bit puzzled by the statement of a doctor, who was giving
- a talk at our community center, when he stated that we have more to fear from
- the bite of a human than we do from an animal bite. Was this a bit of
- melodramatic over emphasis or do you too believe that human bite is more
- dangerous? I would very much like to know.
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- ANSWER: Yes, I agree with your lecturer, such bites are more likely to become
- infected than those from animals, and from that point of view are more
- dangerous. Every year about 60 out of each 100,000 (mostly young males)
- people are bitten by other humans. Bites most frequently occur in summer and
- on weekends. They often result from fights. Hands are the most likely sites
- for bites. Additionally, abused children often have bites on various parts of
- their bodies. Some bites are even self-induced, as with children who suck
- their fingers.
- In treating bites from humans, wounds are cleaned thoroughly, tetanus
- shots (if the patient has not had one recently), penicillin and other potent
- drugs are administered, and the area affected often is immobilized and
- elevated for some time. Doctors usually require patients to return for
- observation several times as complications from human bites occur frequently
- and can be decidedly serious. Also, doctors may require more detailed
- information about the person who inflicted the bite, as they may have
- infections they could be passed on.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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