Dogs are not always man’s best friend! Dog bites can cause unpleasant injuries, especially in young children and babies. In addition to the obvious injuries caused, dog bites carry an additional risk of infectious diseases.
One of the best known diseases transmitted by dogs is rabies. Rabies is an animal-borne virus, often transmitted to humans after animal bites. In addition to dogs, other wild animals such as bats and foxes can also carry the virus. The first signs and symptoms of rabies are very general and can include headache, nausea, vomiting, and fever. As the disease progresses, other characteristic symptoms appear such as excitability and hallucinations.
If you suspect that you may have been in contact with the rabies virus, it is important that you seek urgent medical attention. There is a vaccine against rabies that can be given after exposure to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.
First aid for a dog bite
You can treat a dog bite by following the simple first aid tips below.
Step 1: With clean water (with soap or an antiseptic product if possible) wash the wound well. Make sure to clean the area around the wound as well.
Step 2: Cover the wound with a sterile wound dressing. If the bleeding is severe, elevate the wound and apply direct pressure. Make sure an ambulance has been called if you cannot control the bleeding.
Step 3: If there is a risk of infection (ie you are in a rabies risk area) or the wound appears severe, seek immediate medical attention. The victim may need an injection to protect them from the rabies virus.
If you are concerned that the dog may still be around and pose a danger to you or others, call the police immediately. Do not attempt to capture or calm the dog, as this may result in further injury to yourself or others.
If you are concerned about rabies, you can find a map of risk areas on the World Health Organization website. It is important to follow travel advice when traveling to rabies risk areas, this could include not petting street animals or leaving food outdoors.
The advice above can also be applied to any animal or human bite, not just a dog.
