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):
- Primarily open and contaminated wounds.
- Delayed wound care
- Bite wounds (animal and human bites; increased risk of infection in cats) Cave: puncture wounds of dogs that are closed during treatment are at high risk of infection – prophylactic administration of antibiotics should be considered; especially for bite wounds to the hand (as opposed to dog bites to other parts of the body)
- Foreign bodies
- Gunshot or puncture wounds
- Patients at risk, i.e., patients with increased disposition to infection (e.g., asplenia, diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency, cirrhosis, and patients with implants)
- See also under “Further therapy“.
Checking the tetanus protection! If no or insufficient vaccination protection or in case of doubt: simultaneous vaccination, active and passive (5-12 hours after injury).
