Bites, human and animal

Bites from a mammal (any warm blooded, milk producing, hairy animal with a backbone), including humans, can be dangerous. As well as causing physical damage, a bite can also lead to infection. This is because all mammals carry germs in their saliva that can be passed on through a bite.

It is difficult to estimate how many people are bitten each year by mammals because many do not seek medical attention. Dogs, cats and humans are the most common causes of bites.

Children are at particular risk from dog bites. In 2006, more than 20% of people needing hospital treatment for dog bites were children under nine years of age. Children, particularly those under five years of age, are at risk of suffering serious injuries resulting from dog bites, such as to the head or neck.

The most common complication of a bite is infection. Most infections are mild and can be treated with antibiotics. However, it is possible to catch tetanus or rabies (both potentially fatal infections) from an animal bite. Human bites also carry a risk of infection from blood-borne viruses, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV. However, the risk is small. See the 'Complications' section for more information.