Dog, Cat, And Human Bites

Providing Safe And Cost-Effective Treatment In The ED

Eilbert, Wesley P. MD, FACEP
Knoop, Kevin J. MD, MS, FACEP
Slaven, Ellen M. MD

Author
Wesley P. Eilbert, MD, FACEP Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
Peer Reviewers
Kevin J. Knoop, MD, MS, FACEP Special Assistant for GME and Research, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA.
Ellen M. Slaven, MD Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Charity Hospital, New Orleans, LA.

Emergency Medicine Practice 5(8):p 1-18, August 2003.

At 11:00 p.m., a 31-year-old lawyer is robbed at knifepoint while exiting a restaurant in “the bad part of town.” While attempting to overcome his attacker, the young attorney strikes his assailant in the mouth with a closed fist. One hour later, he presents to your ED with a 4 mm laceration over the fourth metacarpophalangeal joint of his right hand. He states, “I know it's only a bad scratch, Doctor, but I'm not going to get HIV from this guy, am I?”