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Bite, Human Updated 12/2010

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BASICS

  • Description
  • Etiology

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Essential Workup
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Pre-hospital
  • Initial Stabilization
  • ED Treatment
  • Medication (Drugs)
  • In-patient Considerations

Ongoing Care

  • Follow-Up Recommendations
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
  • 3rd most common bite (after dogs and cats)
  • Most bites (up to 75%) occur during aggressive acts.
  • 15–20% are related to sexual activity (love nips).
  • 2 types of bites:
    • Occlusional bites: Laceration or crush injury to affected body part:
      • Occurs when human teeth bite into the skin
      • More prone to infection than animal bites
    • Clenched-fist injuries (CFIs): (CFIs; most serious type): Present as small wounds over metacarpophalangeal joints in dominant hand (fight bites):
      • Sustained from a clenched fist striking the mouth and teeth of another person
  • With joint relaxation from the clenched position:
    • Puncture site sealed
    • Oral bacteria inoculated in the anaerobic setting within the joint
    • Bacterial inoculation carried by the tendons deeper into the potential ...

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See Also
Images >
FIG. 3.14. An infected dog bite.Credit: From Fleisher GR, MD, Ludwig S, MD, Baskin MN, MD. Atlas of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004.
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