Therapy goals
- Elimination of the pathogens
- Avoidance of wound infection
Therapy recommendations
Antibiotic prophylaxis or therapy should be given for the following indications (duration: 3-5 days; for infected wounds: > 14 days):
- Primarily open and contaminated wounds.
- Delayed wound care
- Bite wounds (animal and human bites; increased risk of infection in cats, about 80%!)Cave: puncture wounds and bite wounds of dogs closed during treatment are at high risk of infection – prophylactic administration of antibiotics should be considered; especially for bite wounds of the hand (in contrast to dog bites on other parts of the body).
- Foreign bodies
- Patients at risk, i.e., patients with increased disposition to infection (e.g., diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency (AIDS, hepatopathies/liver diseases, asplenia/removal of spleen or failure of organ function), cirrhosis (shrunken liver), and patients with implants, e.g., implanted heart valves)
Verification of tetanus protection! In case of no or insufficient vaccination protection or in case of doubt: simultaneous vaccination, active and passive (5-12 hours after injury).
Note: obligation to report suspected rabies.
