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If you have been bitten by a dog, the possibility of infection should make you take the matter seriously

Infections are an Often Overlooked Consequence of Dog Bites

Although most dogs are friendly, loving animals that sincerely want to please their people, even the best-behaved dog may bite. Even a small nip from a dog can result in an injury causing significant pain and trauma and requiring costly medical treatment.

Why? Because the damage from a dog bite is not limited to the actual puncture wounds or torn flesh. The dog’s saliva may carry pathogens that can result in the person who has been bitten getting an infection. This is particularly likely if the victim is a person with a weakened immune system, such as a very young child, an elderly person, or someone with a medical condition affecting their immune response.

Here are some of the possible infections that can come from a dog bite:

Rabies: While it is rare for a dog to carry rabies, being bitten by a rabid dog would be a nightmare. Rabies is a virus affecting the brain that can be fatal if it is not treated immediately with a course of expensive shots.

Capnocytophaga spp.: This bacteria can cause septicemia in individuals with weak immune systems.

Pasteurella: This is the most common type of bacteria seen in infected dog bites. It causes pain and swelling at the site of the bite, and can cause more serious symptoms in immune-compromised individuals.

MRSA: This is a type of Staph infection that is resistant to many antibiotics. MRSA can spread to the lungs or blood and cause life-threatening complications in some individuals.

Tetanus: Rigid paralysis can result from a tetanus infection in deep bite wounds. Most people get tetanus shots to protect against this type of infection.

Of course, in the immediate aftermath of a dog bite, you will not be able to tell if you are going to get an infection. This makes it important to preserve your ability to pursue personal injury compensation, in case your injury does turn out to be severe, painful, and costly. Immediately after the bite, you should get contact information from the dog’s owner and from any witnesses, and then seek medical care. You also need to contact an experienced dog bite injury attorney such as The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker right away. We can help you compensation for your medical bills and your pain and suffering. Call us at 800-333-0000 for a free consultation.