If you get bitten by a dog, it’s important to clean the wound promptly. The bleeding process can do this naturally, but you also want to clean it with warm water, and it may need to be disinfected. Some people do this at home, but it may also be a good idea to see a medical professional.
However, because of the nature of dog bites and the fact that they are puncture wounds, there’s a high chance of infection. These are very hard wounds to clean out. How do you know if the bite gets infected and you need emergency medical treatment?
Potential symptoms
It’s important to keep an eye out for serious symptoms. At the beginning, you may just notice swelling around the wound. It could become red and feel warm or tender to the touch.
As it progresses, you may begin to see drainage of pus or other liquid from the wound. It’s a red flag if the pain lasts for more than a day, especially if it’s getting worse or if you’re having difficulty moving the part of your body that suffered the injury.
Finally, many infections will lead to the onset of sickness. You may develop night sweats, shaking, chills and other symptoms of a fever. This is your body trying to fight off the infection.
Seeking compensation
When a dog bite does become infected, you may need emergency treatment, which can be very expensive. Some infections turn so serious that you have to spend an extended amount of time in the hospital. If the dog owner was negligent and allowed the injury to occur, then it’s important to know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other costs.