http://www.care2.com/greenliving/which-is-worse-dog-bite-or-human-bite.html
Which is Worse, Dog Bite or Human Bite?
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.
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11 comments
add your comment »Kabin
Konteyner
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Thats an easy question to answer. A human bite is way worse and much more dangerous as far as infection. Humans put things in their mouths and bodies that a dog would not dream of putting in their mouths.
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I have been bitten by dogs twice. In my line of business it is bound to happen at least once. My ex-husband was a drinker and then a fighter. The two times I was bitten it was really deep and tore the skin open. My ex-husband was bitten twice by humans and broke his skin open of his knuckles on human teeth several times. I never had a single problem with my dog bites, however he had severe swelling and infection and one time had to be hospitalized. By my experience, human bite is much nastier.
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A dog's teeth are much sharper and more likely to draw blood.
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I suspect that Dr. Brent answered the question the way he did because the issue is more complex than just a simple choice between one and the other. The advice to clean the wound and then consult a healthcare provider is very wise. Thanks, Dr. Brent.
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I would like to think the human bite is worse since theyre dirtier than most animals..I know a few people that were bit by dogs but because they already had their tetanus shots they didnt need another one..it stays in ur system for 8 years..Thats good to know..
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I would want the dog and/or human tested for rabies.
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I would be interested to learn where Dr. Brent acquired his degree in medicine! Of course the risk of infection is greater from a human bite.
A bite that just causes bruising or only scrapes the top layer of skin will not require much more than cleaning with soap and water, ice, and a mild pain medication. Antibiotics are usually not necessary for this type of bite
Emergency treatment is essential for any bite where the skin is broken and there is bleeding. If you are bitten by a dog, the dog may be rabid so tests should be conducted. Depending on the severity of the bite, antibiotics may be given including a tetanus booster. Also, if there is any question of rabies, further treatment and examination of the animal is warranted.
A severe bite from a human risks more serious infection. What if the offender happens to be HIV postive? Enough said.
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Why do the readers know the answer but not the expert?
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The human bite is worse than a dog bite but there are more dog bites than human bites and that is the way it is and that is why they make the news more than human bites.
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