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Mammalian Bites > Patient Education Author: Jeffrey D. Kravetz, MD; Daniel G. Federman, MD
Editorial changes - 2008-01-23
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Rationale:

  • Clinical failures have occurred in patients treated for bite wound infections who have not properly elevated their extremity.
  • Patients with mammalian bites and improper wound management are more likely to develop infections.
  • All mammalian bite wound infections need to be seen urgently to prevent infectious complications and loss of function.
  • Progression of symptoms in a patient with established bite wound infection is an indication for hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics and possible surgical debridement.
  • Patients who do not adhere to their antibiotic regimens are at risk for spread of infection to the bone, joints, tendons, and blood.

Evidence:

  • In a study of eight patients admitted for human hand bite infections, six presented after failing to manage wounds as an outpatient (34).

Comments:

  • None.
FAQs
Daniel G. Federman, MD has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations. Jeffrey D. Kravetz, MD has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations.
Deborah Korenstein, MD, FACP, Co-Editor, PIER, has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations. Richard B. Lynn, MD, FACP, Co-Editor, PIER, has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations.

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