Thorough irrigation is important

Human:

• Assess risk of tetanus, HIV, hepatitis B & C and discuss with Microbiologist if appropriate.
• Antibiotic prophylaxis is advised.

Animal:

• Assess risk of tetanus, and also rabies from a bat bite occurring in any country including the UK or other animal bite outside of the UK. Discuss with Microbiologist if appropriate.
• Antibiotic prophylaxis advised for cat bite/puncture wound; bite involving hand, foot, face, joint, tendon, ligament; immunocompromised, diabetics, elderly, asplenic.

 

Severity (classification)	1st line oral/iv antibiotics	Penicillin allergy (see explanatory notes)
A Minor to moderate infection  Review doses in renal impairment	CO-AMOXICLAV 625mg po tds Duration: 7days   Following Human Bites consider the risk of blood borne virus infection – see GHNHSFT infection control policy	Animal bites DOXYCYLINE 100mg po bd plus METRONIDAZOLE 400mg po tds   Human bites CLARITHROMYCIN 500mg po bd plus METRONIDAZOLE 400mg po tds
B/C Moderate to severe life threatening infection Review doses in renal impairment	CO-AMOXICLAV 1.2g IV tds   Duration : 7days If clinical concern consult microbiologist	Consult Microbiologist

 For guidance on the administration of intravenous antibiotics
click here (GHNHSFT intranet only)