Because dogs are popular with Americans, bites are exceedingly common. In fact, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs bite approximately 4.5 million Americans every single year. While most bites are minor, too many others leave victims with life-altering injuries.
An infection can cause a bite to go quickly from minor to potentially life-threatening. Indeed, if you have an infected dog bite, you might develop sepsis, septic shock or other catastrophic complications. Therefore, you must be able to recognize the signs of an infected dog bite.
Symptoms of infection
It is perfectly normal for any dog bite to come with pain, discomfort or irritation, especially during the first few days after the attack. If your pain worsens, though, you might have an infection. Likewise, if you have one or more of the following symptoms, you could have an infected wound:
- Redness, swelling or blisters around the wound
- Discharge from the wound
- Fever, headache, confusion or dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite
- Muscle or joint pain
Medical treatment
After any type of dog bite, it is important to clean the wound and seek immediate medical attention. After all, while a bite might seem minor to you, it could be more serious than you think. By going to the emergency room, you give experienced doctors an opportunity to treat the wound properly and prevent a possible infection.
Even if you forgo a trip to the emergency room initially, you must go for an infected bite. Remember, you may be eligible for significant financial compensation to help you pay your hospital bills and other medical expenses.