follow-up

Last edited 11/2020 and last reviewed 11/2020

  • most outpatients with mammal bites should be followed up 24-48 hours after the initial visit
    • features at follow-up that might justify admitting the patient to hospital include any increase in pain, swelling or cellulitis, or possible extension of infection into a joint or bone
      • further debridement may be required if the infection has spread

If a patient is at risk of hepatitis B or C or HIV infection then they should be followed up for at least 3 months.

Reference:

  1. Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (2004);42:65-72.