Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
Infections Passed through Bite Wounds | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
Hi, I have a question. My son was wrestling with my girlfriend's brother-in-law. My son hit this person's tooth, which made a cut in my son's head. There was only a little blood, but I have worried because this person is a drug user and was also in jail. I am worried about AIDS and other types of disease. Do you think I need to take my son in and have him tested? It was only a small cut above his eyebrow where he hit the man's tooth.— Jill B. | | | ANSWER |
February 26, 2002 | | | Dear Jill B.
This is an excellent question because, although your son probably will be just fine, it is possible for people to catch infections from human bite wounds. The most common infections are from the normal bacteria that inhabit the mouth. No matter how well anyone brushes and flosses, the mouth normally has many millions of bacteria. These can cause infections if they are introduced through broken skin, like when there is a bite or a tooth accidentally breaks the skin--as is the case with your son. These infections can sometimes spread very quickly, so it is important that you keep an eye on the wound. If it becomes tender, red, and/or swollen--particularly if your son also develops a fever--the wound should be checked right away. Also, it is important to be sure that your son is up-to-date on his tetanus shots.
As far as infections that are more common in drug users, such as AIDS or hepatitis B or C, it is possible for these infections to be transmitted through small breaks in the skin, so you should discuss this situation your son's provider so that he/she can assess his risk after this particular incident.
The bottom line--human bite wounds can cause several different kinds of infections, and it is always a good idea for them to be assessed by a professional. In addition, it is probably a good idea to be sure that young children not wrestle or otherwise have really close contact with people you don't know very well--or whose backgrounds put them at higher risk for carrying serious infections like hepatitis B.— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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