Dog bite wounds that have become infected are often red, painful, and swollen. Fluid or pus may ooze from the wound. Tenderness and tingling of the bite wound are also common signs of infection.
Dog bite infections can quickly escalate. If you were bitten by a dog, and you suspect that the wound has become infected, get the wound evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. The longer you wait to have the bite assessed and treated, the more likely it is that infection will spread.
Symptoms of Infection After a Dog Bite
If you or a loved one was the victim of a dog attack, you probably have many concerns. You may also wonder about the signs of dog bite infections. Recognizing the signs of a dog bite infection and getting prompt medical treatment is crucial to preventing the infection from worsening.
Changes in Color
The color of a wound can often provide clues as to how well the wound is healing. If the site of the dog bite has become red, this may be a sign of an infection. Red streaks on the skin originating at the wound site and spreading outward are often a telltale sign of a dog bite infection.
Swelling and Warmth
When the body is injured by a wound such as a dog bite, the body’s immune system response is initiated. Fluids and white blood cells are immediately delivered to the area of the wound. This often leads to swelling and warmth at the wound site.
Changes in Sensation
One serious sign to be aware of after a dog bite is a change in bodily sensation. If the body part that was bitten feels numb, tingly, or increasingly painful, this may be a sign that the wound may be infected. If you were bitten by a dog, and you are experiencing weakness and loss of function in the affected body part, get medical attention immediately.
Fever or Difficulty Breathing
If a dog bite infection is not treated quickly, it could spread throughout the body. Signs that an infection has begun to spread include fever, chills, night sweats, and difficulty breathing.
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Types of Infections Caused by Dog Bites
Dogs have many different types of bacteria and viruses in their mouths. Many of these bacteria and viruses are harmless to the dog but can cause potentially deadly infections in humans. These infections may require significant medical treatment:
- Rabies: Although it is rare, rabies is one of the most dangerous types of infections that exist. The rabies virus attacks a sufferer’s central nervous system, including the brain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there are only 20 documented cases of individuals surviving clinical rabies.
- Pasteurella infection: The bacterium Pasteurella multocida can also cause severe infections in dog bite victims. This infection can cause symptoms such as swollen glands, swollen joints, and problems with movement.
- Staph infection: When staphylococcus bacteria invade a person’s bones, organs, or bloodstream, this can lead to a life-threatening staph infection. According to the Mayo Clinic, various forms of a staph infection could cause bone or joint pain, fluid-filled boils or blisters, discharge from the wound site, and fever.
- Capnocytophaga infection: If you are infected with capnocytophaga, you may experience diarrhea, vomiting, or headache.
The Signs of a Dog Bite Infection
If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog, you may be wondering about the signs of dog bite infections. Dog bite infections often cause painful swelling, redness, oozing fluid, and changes in sensation. If untreated, a bite infection could spread throughout the body, causing the dog bite victim to develop a fever or become increasingly ill. A dog bite wound may even lead to sepsis, a life-threatening medical condition that causes damage to internal organs. This is why it is so important to get treated by a doctor immediately after suffering a bite.
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Contact Bader Scott Injury Lawyers
A dog bite victim may be left with painful injuries, considerable mental trauma, disfiguring scars, and steep medical bills. If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog, a personal injury claim may allow you to seek financial compensation for your losses. With expert guidance from our dog bite lawyers in Atlanta, you may be able to pursue compensation for your past, present, and future medical expenses, lost income from missed work, pain and suffering, and more.
Begin a free, no-obligation case evaluation to learn more about your rights following a dog attack. Bader Scott Injury Lawyers may be able to fight for your case. Call (404) 888-8888 today.
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