Q: Which is more dangerous, a dog bite or a human bite?
A: It’s very hard to answer this question. A bite from any animal (humans included) that is strong enough to break the skin and cause bleeding poses a threat that the bacteria residing in the mouth of the biter can enter into the blood stream and cause a severe infection.
With any type of bite, the best policy is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and consult your healthcare provider to determine if any further management is needed.
Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.
Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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This is great! Thank you
Quickest way to gain weight is to eat fast food!
wow, great news
Mary Ann F.- couldn't have said it better.
Very brave- I wish them success
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Veterinarians will tell you that human bites and cat bites almost always become infected without treatment, whereas dog bites often do not. They even state that a dog licking it's own wound helps keep it clean and promotes healing, as long as they don't lick excessively. I think any bite is bad and to be avoided.
I think they're both bad with the bacteria and potential for disease. The difference is dogs bite by nature, humans bite out of stupidity.
Very interesting
either way...OUCH!
Good to know, thank you.
Human bites, they are done on purpose
Human, no doubt. Thanks.
Who knows or cares?
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