Human bites are more dangerous than dog bites

Human bites can cause life-threatening infections

06/26/2014

Uruguay player Luis Suárez caused a stir with his biting attack at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Because for the victim Giorgio Chiellini the bite could have serious health consequences. Because of the bacteria contained in the saliva, human bites are even considered more dangerous than dog bites. For example, a few years ago, a fall at the Oktoberfest caused a sensation. At that time a woman bit into the calf of a man dancing in front of her on the table. This would have almost cost the bite the life.

Human bites are very dangerous because of dangerous bacteria in saliva
While the wounds after a dog bite only infect in 10 to 20 percent of cases, it is in cat and human bites 45 to 55 percent. In the case of human bites, however, there is a higher risk of injury from bruising compared to the cat. In dogs, on the other hand, bite injuries often appear more dangerous due to tattered skin. The cause of the high risk of infection in human bites is the composition of the saliva. The human oral flora contains many dangerous bacteria, such as streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus, which can be transmitted through a bite. Pathogens of hepatitis B and HIV play a less important role.

If the highly pathogenic bacteria enter the bloodstream of the bite victim, they can cause serious and even life-threatening infections. Thus, sepsis can occur if the body's defense system fails to successfully fight the invaders and the pathogens and their toxins spread through the blood vessels throughout the body. As a result, the immune system reacts violently, triggering a chain reaction that damages the body and can lead to organ failure. In addition, human bites can cause meningitis (meningitis) or inflammation of the heart (endocarditis).

Human bites can have life-threatening consequences
Much of the medically treated human bite injuries are love bites as a result of sexual activity. The remaining part of the bite injuries is mostly due to fights. In addition, doctors in the emergency room are confronted again and again with bizarre cases. For instance, law enforcement officers sometimes have to fend off human biting attacks when they ask for identity papers or driver's licenses.

A particularly serious case occurred at the Oktoberfest a few years ago: a woman bit stubbornly into the calf of a man who danced on the table in front of her. Two days after the bite, the man with a severe streptococcal infection came to the hospital, which he almost did not survive. (Ag)