W55: Bitten or struck by other mammals

Bitten or Struck by Other Mammals is a grouping of medical conditions that arise due to a harmful encounter with non-human mammals. Different mammals can cause different types of injuries, from minor scratches to deep bites. Interactions with mammals can lead to skin punctures, lacerations, bruises, fractures, and other types of physical trauma. Depending on the severity of the injury and the specific mammal involved, wounds may become infected and there may be a risk of transmitting diseases, such as rabies. In more severe cases, an individual might experience systemic responses such as fever, and can even go into shock. Symptoms of these incidents often include pain, swelling, and bleeding at the site of the injury. The progression of these conditions depends on the type of wound, the state of the injured person’s health, and the timely application of appropriate medical interventions like wound cleaning, antibiotics, and in certain circumstances, immunization against rabies.