Bites and Scratches
Animal bites and scratches, even minor ones, can become infected and spread family pet or a creature from the "wild," scratches and bites can carry disease. For example, tetanus if a person has not been immunized, and certain animals can transmit 
What to Do:
- If the bite or scratch wound is vaccination. A bite or scratch on a child's hand or face is particularly prone to infection and should be evaluated by your doctor.
- If your child was bitten or scratched by an animal, note the location of the animal. Some animals may have to be captured, confined, and observed for rabies. But do not try to capture the animal yourself. Look in your phone book for the number of an animal control office or animal warden in your area.
- Seek immediate medical care if:
- the wound won't stop bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure
- the wound is more than half an inch long, appears to be deep, or is associated with severe injuries
- the attacking animal was stray or wild or behaving strangely
- the bite or scratch becomes red, hot, swollen, or increasingly painful
If you own a pet, make sure it's properly immunized and licensed.
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