Bitten By A Dog? Here Are 4 Things You Should Do Immediately!

Whether you are bitten by an animal or it has just scratched you, make sure to see a physician immediately. Rabies is believed to be 100% fatal. If left unattended, rabies can infect you in two different forms:

• Paralytic rabies: It is a less common form, in which the muscles slowly get paralyzed leading to coma and death of the infected person.
• Furious rabies: It is a more common form of rabies infection, which can cause anxiety, confusion, excessive salivation, and difficulty in swallowing.

Here are 4 simple things that you must do immediately, if you get bitten by a dog or any rabid animal:

1. Examine and press the wound

Press the wound gently to flush out infection causing germs. Then, wash it with mild soap and water. Washing the wound also reduces the chance of infection. Place a clean towel over the injury to stop the bleeding. If it still continues to bleed, keep the injured area elevated to reduce the blood-flow to the wound.

2. Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment on the wound

Apply OTC antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin at the site of infection and wrap it with a sterile bandage. It is advised to change the bandage 3 to 4 times a day to avoid the spread of infection.

3. Visit the doctor

Make sure to visit your doctor no sooner you get bitten. Once your doctor examines the wound, s/he can determine if the bite was superficial or deep enough. And, whether it has affected the muscle or nerve or not.

During the visit, the doctor may ask you these questions:

• Do you know the owner or vaccination status of the dog?
• Do you have any health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or any liver disease?

4. Watch for the signs of infection

Signs of infection should be carefully examined for redness, pus like discharge, swelling and excruciating pain. If these signs are observed, immediately contact your doctor.