Suggest Treatment For TB Infection After A Dog Bite

Posted on Fri, 31 Oct 2014

Question: My daughter works at a vet clinic, was bitten by a dog about a month ago, yet even after special care and cleaning it developed an infection … many types of IV antibiotics were not working… last week a hand specialist did surgery to clean and drain… test results came back that she has developed some type of TB infection in her hand, but they are not sure yet which strain as they don't have the full report… they now have her on a mega antibiotic cocktail, but I'm very worried. have you heard of this happening before? and if so, What are the odds this could develop into full blown TB that might affect other parts of the body?
Sincerest Thank You for your time and energy… Viva

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
She should be on anti tubercular regime

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Its difficult to predict whether she will have full blown TB.

Ideal is to put her on broad spectrum anti-tubercular regime for no less than 6 months.In most cases local TB s cleared off without systemic spread.

Since she got TB , an opportunistic infection, get her checked for immunity status.

Discuss with doctor about supplements to increase her immunity.Check her blood sugar levels.

Get Chest xray done to see spread or previous chest infection.

Also consider the possibility that she had previous unnoticed tubercular focus which cause this local TB.Such focus is called Ghon's primary focus, lots of people have it but it never reached true infection , but can act as source of infection.This other way round spread is more common.

Hope this gives you some insight.

Please ask if there are doubts.Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar