"Human bites are more dangerous than dog bites": Epidemiologist on risks after injury

Human bites pose a greater infection risk than dog bites, according to epidemiologist Zoran Radovanović. He noted that human mouths contain a more varied flora of bacteria, making wounds more prone to infection.

Radovanović's comments follow recent incidents, including a woman biting a police officer in Svrljig and a singer being bitten on the stomach, resulting in a mole being torn off. The epidemiologist described such events as "bizarre situations" that reflect a "sociopathological state of society" rather than just the injury itself.

“

In principle, human bites are more dangerous than dog bites. They fester more often, the wound itself is more often prone to infection because the flora in a human mouth is more diverse. These are bizarre situations and reflect the sociopathological state of society more than the injury itself.

Regarding wound treatment, Radovanović explained that after an attack, primary wound care is essential. This involves examining and disinfecting the wound, and potentially stitching or using staples if necessary. He added that nerve damage would require more complex microsurgical procedures.

“

People are afraid of moles, but every person has at least 30 moles, most much more. It is not unusual in itself. People believe that malignant melanoma develops from moles, but only 30% of melanomas develop from moles, and 70% from the skin. If a mole is torn off, it depends on how much of the skin defect went with the mole. He was not at special risk, the probability that it will become a malignant melanoma from it is minimal, only the wound needs to be primarily treated.

Concerning the singer's injury, Radovanović downplayed the risk of developing malignant melanoma from the lost mole. He clarified that while people fear moles, only 30% of melanomas develop from existing moles, with 70% originating from the skin. He stressed that the primary concern remains proper wound care to prevent infection, regardless of the initial injury.

Radovanović also suggested that individuals exhibiting such aggressive behavior might require psychiatric evaluation. He observed that aggressive acts, particularly in environments perceived as unjust, can be more frequent, noting a higher incidence in Serbia compared to countries like Switzerland. He attributed this to "societies full of injustice where there is a lot of accumulated anger."

“

If he is conspicuously behaving, then a psychiatric examination is considered. People in anger, especially in such an environment, do it more often than usual, and more often here than in Switzerland, for example.