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

Really? Not in any clinical capacity, I assume.

Because you are very wrong in this case.

Funny how 111 told her to go to A&E.

your post is an example of why never to take medical advice from a random stranger on the internet and actually seek medical advice.

You can not POSSIBLY know what will be frowned upon and what will not without a FULL clinical history from the OP and examination by a qualified person.

I do not believe you are a medical professional, even if you do work in A+E.

You work in A&E? As what? Clearly not as any kind of healthcare professional because pretty much everything you’ve said is wrong.

“A&E is not for issues with knees” is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever read. I had an accident when I was kid that tore my knee completely open from one side to the other, leaving my whole kneecap exposed. I still have a five-inch scar from it. Do you think my parents should have just popped a Mr Men plaster on it?

Something similar happened to me 7 years ago when I was out for Black Friday. Folk are crazier than usual on bank holidays I swear!
I had to get a jag. Maybe a tetanus injection? Rings a bell.
Go to minor injuries. Better to get them watched but take the kids if you have to with things to keep them occupied. Don't let them push mummy in the wheelchair too fast

@toptail222 Its a human bite that broke the skin. It’s not “knee issues”. Christ almighty.

This. I've been told that human bites are far worse than a dog bite for bacteria.

And hepatitis injection. My son had to have one when he was bitten by someone he was arresting.

@toptail222 Also, please not that OP has contacted 111 , who have ADVISED HER TO ATTEND A&E.
111 don't actually make it up as they go along, their triage Pathways are evidence-based and are developed by NHS clinicians.

@Nocutenamesleft

I wouldn’t go to a and e.

but I would ring my GP and get an urgent appointment

If it's urgent surely you wouldn't wait until tomorrow?

DDID YOU ACTUALLY READ THE POST?!!!
The skin was broken, it feels hot now.
I bet you're a receptionist. At least I hope you are, because if you're a nurse......😳

Or maybe a cleaner?

Ever had a smashed knee cap?

@toptail222

Is it just knees that cannot be seen in A&E or any other areas/parts? I would hate to turn up with a broken hand if they were off limits like knees.

toptail222,
why are you saying that ?
what about the risk of infection, sepsis, etc.
esp as it happened friday night. there has already been delay, now she has impaired movement. she could be in iTU if she followed your advice and delayed further.
what are you talking about ?
seriously.

I think @toptail222 is on a wind up and probably enjoying the outrage her/his posts are attracting.

I once looked after someone who's own tooth went into their knee and cut the skin, he was very ill with an infection, he was in hospital for a couple of months. Took ages to get the infection under control.

You are definitely doing the right thing by going in.

@PuppyMonkey

"Yeah, even if you've been shot in the knee at point blank range, don't ever go to A&E with your knees. "

Craziness 😆

The individual I cared for ended up with a PICC line for treatment for a tiny (less than 1cm) cut on his knee from his tooth.

The OP's displaying signs of infection which could rapidly turn into something serious.

Nothing about her presenting to A&E is silly.

What is your job role, out of interest?

Why are medical professionals on this thread, and face to face in my case, saying this is absolutely a case for A&E then?

Are you a medical professional?

And she isn't presenting with the injury but the potential infection the injury may have caused.

@Dumdeedahdumdeedo

I do hope A&E are able to help you today and I think you did absolutely the right thing to go.

It is totally understandable to feel very shaken up and not at all silly to react as you are doing. It's a huge shock to be physically attacked.

I once got head-butted in the face by a drunk man in the middle of Brighton – he was running round the corner and didn't see me and was hugely apologetic - but I need stitches in my face and a brain scan just in case.

He was massively apologetic and so I didn't even have the level of attack that you have suffered but I still suffered a kind of PTSD afterwards and kept waking up in the middle of the night in real shock about it.

Treat yourself gently and take care. Is there anyone that could come and stay over with you and help with the children for a night or two?

OK, I'm retired now but was an A&E nurse and, latterly, a triage consultant for more than 30 years.
For the non-clinicians on the thread:
. As others have already said, human bites are particularly prone to infection and any human bite that breaks the skin is usually treated prophylactically with antibiotics, to try to prevent infection developing.
. In addition, any injury near a joint is taken very seriously because if infection develops and spreads to within the joint, it can be very difficult to treat.
. The types of bacteria found in the mouth, and hence in a bite injury, thrive in deep dark places with low oxygen (like inside joints!) and usually require specific antibiotic treatment, often by injection, IV infusion or even directly into the joint space.
. The longer the time between sustaining the injury and seeking treatment, the more like it is that infection will take hold. (OP sustained the injury on Friday).
. There is also increased risk of sepsis, as others have already said.

This is why the clinicians on the thread are saying OP needs specialist assessment and treatment and A&E is the best place to access this.

What an awful thing to happen! I hope A&E can treat and reassure you.