Editing Animal bite (section)

==Treatment==
The first step in treatment includes washing the bite wound.<ref name=WHO2013>{{cite web|title=Animal bites Fact sheet N°373|url=https://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs373/en/|work=World Health Organization|access-date=5 May 2014|date=February 2013}}</ref> If there is a low risk of infection the wound may be sutured.<ref name=WHO2013/> Debridement and drainage of bite wounds was practiced in the pre-antibiotic era, but high rates of infection still occurred. A 2019 [[Cochrane (organisation)|Cochrane]] [[systematic review]] aimed to evaluate the healing and infection rates in bite wounds based on if/when they were stitched closed. The review authors looked for studies that compared stitching wounds closed straight away, leaving them open for a short time or not stitching them at all. Due to a lack of high-certainty evidence, the review authors concluded that more robust [[randomised controlled trials]] were needed to fully answer this question.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bhaumik|first=Soumyadeep|last2=Kirubakaran|first2=Richard|last3=Chaudhuri|first3=Sirshendu|date=2019-12-06|title=Primary closure versus delayed or no closure for traumatic wounds due to mammalian bite|url= |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|doi=10.1002/14651858.cd011822.pub2|issn=1465-1858|pmc=6894945|pmid=31805611}}</ref>

===Antibiotics===
Antibiotics to prevent infection are recommended for dog and cat bites of the hand,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bestbets.org/bets/bet.php?id=1021 |title=Antibiotics in cat bites |website=BestBets }}</ref> and human bites if they are more than superficial.<ref name="Oehler2009">{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S1473-3099(09)70110-0 |pmid=19555903 |title=Bite-related and septic syndromes caused by cats and dogs |journal=The Lancet Infectious Diseases |volume=9 |issue=7 |pages=439–447 |year=2009 |last1=Oehler |first1=Richard L. |last2=Velez |first2=Ana P. |last3=Mizrachi |first3=Michelle |last4=Lamarche |first4=Jorge |last5=Gompf |first5=Sandra |citeseerx=10.1.1.490.2232 }}</ref> They are also recommended in those who have [[immunodeficiency|poor immune function]].<ref name=WHO2013/> Evidence for antibiotics to prevent infection in bites in other areas is not clear.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD001738 |pmid=11406003 |title=Antibiotic prophylaxis for mammalian bites |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=2 |pages=CD001738 |year=2001 |last1=Medeiros |first1=Iara Marques |last2=Saconato |first2=Humberto }}</ref>

The first choice is [[amoxicillin with clavulanic acid]], and if the person is penicillin-allergic, [[doxycycline]] and [[metronidazole]].<ref name="Oehler2009"/> The antistaphylococcal penicillins (e.g., [[cloxacillin]], [[nafcillin]], [[flucloxacillin]]) and the [[macrolide]]s (e.g., [[erythromycin]], [[clarithromycin]]) are not used for empirical therapy, because they do not cover ''[[Pasteurella]]'' species.<ref name="Oehler2009"/>

===Vaccinations===
Rabies prevention is generally available in [[North America]] and the [[Northern European]] states.

[[Tetanus toxoid]] treatment is recommended in those whose vaccinations are not up to date and have a bite that punctures the skin.<ref name=WHO2013/> [[Tetanus immune globulin]] is indicated in people with more than 10 years since prior vaccination. Tetanus boosters (Td) should be given every ten years.

{|
|- valign="top"
| '''Prior toxoid'''
| '''Clean minor wounds'''
| '''All other wounds'''
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:rgb(217, 195, 195);"
| < 3 doses
| TT: yes, '''TIG: no'''
| TT: yes, TIG: yes
|-
| ≥ 3 doses
| TT: if last dose ≥ 10yr<br> '''TIG: no'''
| TT: if last dose ≥ 5yr, TIG: no
|}

TT = tetanus toxoid; TIG: tetanus immune globulin

===Mosquito bites===
{{main|Insect bites and stings}}

[[Antihistamine]]s are effective treatment for the symptoms from bites.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bestbets.org/bets/bet.php?id=1074 |title=BestBets: Oral antihistamines for insect bites }}</ref> Many diseases such as [[malaria]] and [[Dengue fever|dengue]] are transmitted by [[mosquitoes]].