Should I go to A&E or am I being silly?

[Dumdeedahdumdeedo]

I went out on Friday and was attacked in the toilets by a random woman. There was no argument, no build up, she literally just launched herself at me and attacked me

The police came and she was arrested but during the attack she bit me on my knee

She broke the skin on my knee and I have a giant bruise there too. I've woken up today and I'm struggling to bend my knee, it really hurts, all down the back of my knee hurts when I try to bend it.

It doesn't look infected, there's the cut and the bruise but it isn't hot to touch.

I don't k ow if I'm being dramatic or not, I'm starting to worry maybe there's an infection inside my knee that I cannot see.

Would i be dramatic to go to A&E over this or do you think it just hurts to bend because she bit my actual knee cap so there's bound to be some pain?

I'm a single mum I have a 5 year old and 7 year old I don't really want to drag them to A&E but at the same time I'm starting to worry about my knee

I don't know what to do

I would go!

Go, or to your GP if they will see you urgently.

She broke the skin, you need it checking out.

I’m sorry that you went through this @Dumdeedahdumdeedo

For a human bite - definitely. You may need antibiotics.

Go or if there's a minor injuries unit try that.

I'm sorry you were attacked.

I would go. You’re responsible for two kids, if you become unwell that’s going to be difficult.
Not sure if you need anti tetanus for human bites?

Or failing that at least call 111 and they can help you decide.

I'd call 111.

That's awful. Yes definitely get it checked out. Bite marks that break the skin can be dangerous. Are you up to date with your Tetanus jab?

Don't waste 111s time, go to an ED/UCC department

omg that sounds horrific, you poor thing having to go through that! I would get it checked out for sure. You might need a tetanus jab.

I would ring 111, they might book you with the OOH GP. Or is there a local Minor Injuries unit?

I think you’re meant to get antibiotics if you’re bitten by a human and it’s a significant bite, so I wouldn’t just leave it.

Call 111 to get advice.

Human bites, especially when breaking the skin need looking at OP. You should have gone sooner. Don't delay.

ring 111, they can book you in with out of hours GP. Unlikely to be an infection if there's no heat, redness or pus but best to get it checked out.

Go to Minor Injuries if they're open, out of hours doctor if you have one or a and e if there's no one else.

My GP is closed today, I suspect all are. Minor Injuries here are also shut and there's no ooh appointments either on a bank holiday so today a and e might be your only option. You do have to get out seen to though.

Nhs advice on human bites

Don't bother with 111, it's a useless service in the main anyway.

Human bites are always treated prophylactically with antibiotics from the get go, without any signs of infection, same as cat or dog bites. If it’s already hot with reduced range of movement then you definitely need antibiotics. Go to a minor injuries or urgent care, or if you don’t have one of those then A&E.

Such an odd thing to happen as well. Must have well shaken you up. I hope she's been charged.

i would go. there is more bacteria in gums than a sewage i read/heard somewhere.

She broke the skin, you should absolutely be seen. The mouth is full of bacteria.

Without trying to worry you, you should be given a tetanus if you’re not up to date and you may need follow up blood tests.

Wow, what a horrible thing to have happened to you. Must have been very upsetting.
I wouldn't feel the slightest "guilt" about going to A&E/Urgent Care with this. You are the victim of an assault and have been injured. As others have said, it's a human bite and therefore needs antibiotics. Who knows what germs she might have had.

Good luck.

You'll be prescribed antibiotics. Human bites are bad (so sorry you had to deal with that, and hope your attacker gets help, too). ANP or doctor might prescribe over phone, but today being bank holiday, that's unlikely. You can try GP OOH service if you have one, else I'd think about an MIU or walk-in centre.

I always ask the question, is an accident is it an emergency and if the answer is no then wait for your GP.

On this occasion I would say, it could well become a bigger emergency, so go now.

And why is that?