A 3.5-Year-Old Child Bitten at School

Question

There is a 3.5-year-old child at home who was accidentally bitten by a classmate while playing at school. The wound is on the face and has broken the skin. At the time, anti-inflammatory medication was used to treat it, and now, two days later, the wound has scabbed over. Parents suggest that preventive vaccines should have been administered at the time, but since the incident has exceeded the deadline, they are worried about any potential impact. Is it still necessary to get vaccinated at this point?

Answer

The child’s wound has healed quickly, indicating good recovery. Based on the wound condition, rabies vaccine is typically only required when bitten by animals such as cats and dogs, but this situation does not apply. Tetanus vaccine is recommended to be administered within 24 hours of the injury, but since the child’s wound is not a deep minor wound, it is not necessary to get the tetanus vaccine in this case. It is suggested that parents take the child to a regular medical institution for a detailed examination to ensure there are no complications.