Human Bites
Because human teeth are not particularly sharp, most human bites cause a bruise and only a shallow tear (laceration), if any. Exceptions are on fleshy appendages, such as the ears, nose, and penis, which may be severed. The clenched-fist injury, or "fight bite," which occurs on the knuckles of a person who punches another person in the mouth, is likely to become infected (see Section 5, Chapter 71). This cut frequently lacerates the finger tendon that passes over the knuckle. Sometimes the biting person transmits diseases, such as hepatitis, to the victim. HIV transmission, however, is extremely unlikely.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Bites are painful and usually produce a mark on the skin with the pattern of the teeth. Fight bites leave only a small, straight cut over a knuckle. A lacerated finger tendon results in difficulty moving the finger in one direction. Infected bites become very painful, red, and swollen.
Treatment
Human bites, like animal bites, are cleaned with sterile salt water (saline) or soap and water. Severed parts can be reattached (see Section 16, Chapter 187), and tears, except those involving the hand, are surgically closed. All people with human bites that have broken the skin are given antibiotics by mouth to prevent infection. Infected bites are treated with antibiotics and often must be opened surgically to examine and clean the wound. If the biting person is known or suspected to have a disease that may be spread by biting, preventive treatment may be necessary.
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