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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

160 replies

Dumdeedahdumdeedo · 02/05/2022 11:23

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

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 02/05/2022 12:50

Sally872 · 02/05/2022 12:04

I wouldn't go to a and e. I would try pharmacy or phone 111 and hope for an out of hours appointment.

Why on earth would you do that for a bite that has broken the skin?

Glad you're off to A&E OP

TrashyPanda · 02/05/2022 12:50

definitely A and E.

hope all is okay.
yiu have had a terrible shock. Such an awful thing to happen.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 02/05/2022 12:57

Hope you're ok op. What a shit thing to happen. I hope you get sorted

user1471556818 · 02/05/2022 12:58

Sorry you have went through this
Yes definitely go to get medical help
Human bites are very dirty and you will likely need some antibiotics

Happenchance · 02/05/2022 13:03

You are not being an attention seeker! Human mouths are gross and I wouldn't hesitate to go to A&E if one bit me hard enough to break my skin.

EatAllDay · 02/05/2022 13:07

I think GP visit needed. Hospital a bit OTT

Happierthanever91 · 02/05/2022 13:07

Definitely a good idea to go and get checked out. I'm so sorry this happened to you! I hope everything is well ❤️

RaleighDurham · 02/05/2022 13:09

EatAllDay · 02/05/2022 13:07

I think GP visit needed. Hospital a bit OTT

GP visit?! And where do you live that you can even SEE a GP face-to-face, let alone on a Bank Holiday.

itsmeagainlol · 02/05/2022 13:09

Definitely minor injuries. A&E have very long wait times for minor injuries. Human bites are worse than cat or dog bites.

Welshwabbit · 02/05/2022 13:12

OP, just to reassure you that you were right to go to A&E - I took my son to a minor injuries walk-in centre last weekend for a tooth-inflicted scalp injury (trampolining accident, not deliberate), and they said that as it had been caused by a human "bite", he had to go to A&E. They refused to treat him there. So A&E is your best bet in my view, although other units may vary. I hope you're OK, it sounds a horrible thing to have happened.

pigsDOfly · 02/05/2022 13:14

What an horrible experience OP.

You're not being an attention seeker and it's not silly to have a cry about it it must have been an awful shock.

Hope everything gets sorted out in a& e.

Hope you feel better soon.

Cornettoninja · 02/05/2022 13:17

Definitely get it seen today, if that means A&E so be it. You don’t want to be dealing with a raging infection. I would strongly advise you to call in a favour if you can and get someone to look after your children. Would your usual babysitter consider it if you paid her later?

Badger1970 · 02/05/2022 13:20

Our local A & E has posted on social media asking for people to contact 111 before attending this weekend as they're log jammed.

I wouldn't be taking 2 kids with me. MIU is your best bet here and even that could be a very long wait.

toptail222 · 02/05/2022 13:21

This reply has been deleted

We've removed this post as we're not sure it's in the spirit considering this is a human bite.

TimeSlipMushroom · 02/05/2022 13:21

Definately a and e op for a human bite especially with the symptoms you're describing

When you're sorted out medically you might want to look into some psychological support through e.g. victim support or your gp. You've had a shocking experience.

oakleaffy · 02/05/2022 13:22

@Dumdeedahdumdeedo Human bites can be very serious.
Please go NOW.
Risk of infection/ plus hepatitis is great from a human bite.
I was attacked randomly by a vicious young woman a few years back, and needed medical attention for an infection. {Stamp injuries} and concussion.

It's worrying the amount of ''Unstable'' people about .. And in UK we can't legally arm ourselves for self protection, either.An American friend was shocked.

elfycat · 02/05/2022 13:27

This reply has been deleted

We've removed this post as we're not sure it's in the spirit considering this is a human bite.

Absolutely A&E (I've also worked in one as a nurse). Human bites can be serious.

And A&E isn't for 'critical' care. It's for unexpected sudden issues (like 'A'ccidents) and things that are urgent (i.e. 'E'mergencies). Getting to a critical point is what we should all be avoiding.

oakleaffy · 02/05/2022 13:29

@Dumdeedahdumdeedo
The GP asked me if I was ''Afraid to leave the house'' after the random attack {In a food shop of all places}
I said I was.
He said it was entirely natural, but to try not to give in to it, otherwise it could become a real fear.

I looked at ''Self defence'' videos on YT while recovering, ''Active Self Protection'' was a good one, as it shows how vital it is to keep your wits about you to avoid potential ''Trouble'' .

Best wishes, it's really frightening to be attacked.

I was ''Saved'' by a young male who dragged the woman off.

Bless him, wherever he is.

The police were hopeless.

MiniatureHotdog · 02/05/2022 13:29

@toptail222 I hope you're not patient facing in A&E because you're wrong, as others have pointed out. Human bites need antibiotics ASAP, and as she's already having other symptoms it absolutely is urgent.

Hope you get the help you need OP.

ApplesAndChalk · 02/05/2022 13:30

This reply has been deleted

We've removed this post as we're not sure it's in the spirit considering this is a human bite.

If you actually work in A+E you should know not to give advice like this.
Without seeing the OPs knee, you have no idea how serious it is, and you should know human bites can be very dangerous.
And it's not just for emergency and critical care. Lots of things aren't real emergencies or critical but still need urgent treatment. Thats why A+E (usually) has a minor injures department as well.

nomistake · 02/05/2022 13:30

Some very questionable advice on here - what is mumsnets obsession with 111? What more are they going to tell the OP other than to get it checked out?

And @toptail222 a&e isn't for critical care!

pooktline · 02/05/2022 13:31

This reply has been deleted

We've removed this post as we're not sure it's in the spirit considering this is a human bite.

I sincerely hope you are lying.

lurkingfromhome · 02/05/2022 13:32

This reply has been deleted

We've removed this post as we're not sure it's in the spirit considering this is a human bite.

Do you REALLY work in A&E? If you do, how very bizarre that you are giving entirely wrong advice.

elfycat · 02/05/2022 13:35

nomistake · 02/05/2022 13:30

Some very questionable advice on here - what is mumsnets obsession with 111? What more are they going to tell the OP other than to get it checked out?

And @toptail222 a&e isn't for critical care!

The obsession with 111 is that people who listen to people like toptail222 will not go to A&E as they are fearful of wasting HCP time. They can be in the middle of a life threatening moment and still not want to be a bother.

So you get them to call 111. That's easier. 111 should listen to the symptoms and if red-flags are marked will send an ambulance, or tell them to get to A&E. The person then accesses the medical services that they need. 111 is a stepping stone for some people.

gamerchick · 02/05/2022 13:36

This reply has been deleted

We've removed this post as we're not sure it's in the spirit considering this is a human bite.

You would suggest what then? Hmm