Bites (Animal & Human)

Table of Contents

Animal Bites: It is good to remember that some animals are more likely to be infected with rabies than others. For example, wild animals (especially skunks and bats) most often get rabies in Iowa. All domestic animals (such as dogs, cats, horses, and cattle) can be infected. Smaller mammals such as squirrels, mice, chipmunks, and rabbits rarely get rabies. Birds, turtles, lizards, fish, and insects cannot get rabies. Rabies is spread when a rabid animal’s saliva gets through a person’s skin through a bite, wound, contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Human Bites: Biting is very common among infants and young children for many different reasons, such as exploration or communication. A human bite can also occur when a student cuts their knuckles on another person’s teeth during an altercation with another student. 

General actions if an animal or human bites a child:

  • Remain calm and respond immediately.
  • Wash your hands and put on gloves.
  • Immediately wash the bite or wound thoroughly with soap and water.
  • If a bite is from a snake, hold the bitten area still and below the level of the heart. CALL POISON CONTROL 1-800-222-1222
  • Apply a dressing if needed.
  • Contact the bitten child’s parents and encourage them to communicate with their child’s healthcare provider for the next steps.
  • Contact the child’s parent (who was biting) and encourage them to communicate with their child’s healthcare provider for the next steps.
  • Dispose of gloves and wash your hands.
  • Document the incident in the bitten child’s health record to include the time, date, if the bite was from an animal (type) or a human, first aid provided, communication with the school nurse and any contact with the parents and/or school leadership, implementation of other care, and any measures for prevention of recurrence. Accurate documentation of the incident enables school nurses and personnel to identify applicable triggers and knowledge deficits to assist in planning educational interventions and training in the school setting.

    If necessary, document the action of the child who bit another learner
    • Human bites: Remember to not include personally identifiable information (PII) of the child who bit a learner in the bitten learner’s student health record.
    • Human or animal bites: Remember to assess immunization status
    • Follow all required school policies
    • communicate with parents