Dangerous Infections After a California Dog Bite

If you are like most Americans, you love pets. This is especially true with dogs. In fact, nearly 40 percent of all households in United States are dog owners. With such a large amount of dogs in the country, it is very likely that some of these dogs will bite. Dog bites cause over 800,000 people to seek medical treatment every year.

A dog’s mouth can harbor a large amount of bacteria that can be very harmful to humans. If you are not properly treated after a dog bite in Los Angeles an infection can set in and cause serious long-term problems.

Three dangerous infections that a California dog victim should be cautious of are:

• Staphylococcal infection – This is more commonly known as staph infection. If left untreated it can cause several skin issues and health problems. A staph infection occurs in nearly 20 percent of all dog bite victims.
• Capnocytophaga infection – This is one of the most dangerous types of infections that can infect a dog bite victim. Fortunately, it is a rare type of infection. It can be fatal for victims who have weak immune systems.
• Rabies – Rabies is a viral infection that attacks the central nervous system. A rabies infection is only treatable before the infection sets in. If bitten by a dog with rabies, the victim must seek medical attention immediately.

Signs that a victim may be suffering from an infection after a Los Angeles dog bite are:

• Inflammation – Inflammation around the wound area is the most common sight that an infection is setting in. Inflammation usually can be seen 8-24 hours after the victim has been bitten.
• Skin is warm – An infection that is caused by a dog bite will cause the skin around the wound to become warm to the touch. 
• Redness – As the infection develops, the skin around the bite may become red. The redness may streak up the arm or leg toward the center of the body.
• Discharge – The infection can cause the wound to ooze pus or white discharge.
• Fever – As the body tries to fight off an infection, the body temperature will increase. This will be noticeable as the victim will develop a fever.

If you have been bitten by a dog you may be entitled to compensation for you damages. To seek the compensation you deserve, contact an experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorney at Steinberg today. Call 1-800-350-8888 to discuss your legal options.