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Dogs are fun, loving creatures, but if they turn or don’t appreciate certain attention, then it could lead to a very painful and potentially dangerous bite. Dog owners should train and socialize their dogs thoroughly either by playing with them using best frisbee or any other activity to avoid this kind of retaliation and aggressive behavior, but not every owner is successful or responsible enough to succeed just like not everyone can find the gems. When a dog bites a person and breaks the skin, bacteria from their mouth may enter the body, which can lead to an infection. If you have been bitten by a dog, here are the signs and symptoms of a dog bite infection.
Symptoms
Knowing the symptoms of an infected dog bite is key to getting the help and treatment you need. If you have an infection, the area around your bite wound may become red, swollen, and warm. It will become painful and the pain will last longer than 24 hours. You may also find it difficult to move the affected part of the body and experience drainage from the wound, as well as a bad smell and pus.
Signs of Infection
When you get bitten by a dog and it gets infected, there is a chance that the infection can spread to other parts of the body. This can lead to serious complications. If you are experiencing a fever, shaking, and night sweats alongside the above symptoms, this could be a sign that your body is trying to fight off a bigger issue. This is why you must keep the wound as clean as possible with the help of a doctor.
Treatment
Treating an infected dog bite must be done with the help of a doctor. While home remedies can reduce the risk of infection, serious wounds will need professional medical help. Doctors may flush out the wound and prescribe antibiotics to kill harmful bacteria that could cause infection. They will examine the bite and look for nerve damage. You may need a tetanus shot if you haven’t had one for 5 years.
Complications
Washing the wound and getting medical attention can prevent infection, but if you fail to follow these steps, then a dog bite can lead to serious complications. You could be at risk of developing sepsis, rabies, tetanus, and capnocytophaga. These are extremely painful and dangerous infections that can be life-threatening and fatal. Bites on the hands and the feet are at more risk of getting infected.
Legal Action
If you have been bitten by a dog and that animal broke the skin, whether the injury did or did not lead to infection, you should consider taking legal action as this pet could be putting other people and children at risk. A Horst Shewmaker personal injury attorney would help you through this process to get you justice. They represent personal injury victims throughout the state of Georgia.
Seeking professional help and advice is important if you think that you have a dog bite infection. It can be treated and the risk of further complications can be reduced when you closely monitor the wound.
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