Managing bite wounds. Currently recommended antibiotics for treatment and prophylaxis.

Animal and human bites are common in the United States. Although evidence-based practice guidelines have not been developed, bite wounds warrant an organized, standardized approach to care to help prevent complications. Such an approach involves first eliciting a history of the circumstances surrounding the bite and the patient's medical history. Next, basic bite wound care should be performed, including cleansing and irrigation of the wound. A good understanding of bite wound bacteriology and the situations in which antibiotics may be indicated is important. Finally, rabies and tetanus prophylaxis should be considered and appropriate follow-up care ensured.