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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.