Medical Specialties Commons^™

Animal Bite Infections., Joel D. Klein, Md

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Animal bites have become alarmingly common and may represent a quiet epidemic. It is estimated that between 1 and 3.5 million animal bites occur annually in the United States. The highest incidence has consistently been in 5-to-14-year-old schoolchildren, who have greater contact with animals, especially house pets, on a daily basis. This article discusses the epidemiology, microbiology, clinical findings and management of animal bites infections.