How can infection be prevented after a dog bite?

Question

Hi doctor,

I was bitten by a dog almost down to the muscle yesterday. I went to the ER (emergency room) and received 11 stitches. They sent me home and prescribed Penicillin for infection. About five hours later, I started feeling extremely nauseous and began throwing up. Today, I woke up with severe muscle aches, still nauseous but not vomiting anymore. I am experiencing hot and cold flashes or chills, and my leg is hot, swollen, and very painful. I have not received the Penicillin yet, so I took Cephalexin to have something to fight the infection. But it is already clearly infected, and it has barely been 24 hours. What should I do? I am in immense pain and need some relief.

Kindly assist.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I am glad you chose icliniq for your medical-related queries.

I can understand your concern.

Do not worry. The pain is due to the injuries and stitches. It does not seem to be infected. Have you taken immunoglobulin against rabies at the bite mark subcutaneously? Have you also taken the anti-rabies vaccine? Reply with details.

Meanwhile, clean it with antiseptic liquid (containing Chlorhexidine gluconate and Cetrimide) and apply Betadine cream locally, slightly deep. Take a single dose of tetanus toxoid injection and immunoglobulin against rabies injection. Also, take the anti-rabies vaccine, tablet Zerodol SP (combination of Aceclofenac, Paracetamol, and Serratiopeptidase) twice a day after meals, capsule Cephalexin (Cephalosporin antibiotic) 500 mg three times a day, and tablet Riconia silver (combination of multi-minerals and multivitamins) once daily, all for seven days. Send me regular follow-ups.

I hope this has helped you. Please feel free to reach me again, in case of further queries.

Thank you.