Doctors often warn that human bites are more dangerous than dog or cat bites. A 60-year-old Istanbul man learned this the hard way, nearly losing his arm after an incident earlier in 2024.
NU, a convenience store owner in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district, recently recounted his ordeal to the media.
He discovered two masked men burglarizing his store one night. During the ensuing struggle, NU managed to subdue one of the thieves but was bitten deeply on his left hand. The pain and shock forced him to release the burglar, who then escaped.
Initially relieved to have avoided a more violent confrontation, NU went to the hospital, where his wound was bandaged, and he was discharged without any broken bones.
However, his condition quickly deteriorated. He developed fever and chills and returned to Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital. Doctors diagnosed him with a severe infection from the bite.
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NU's arm before and after treatment. Photo: Bursa5n1k
Despite 15 days of intensive treatment, the infection worsened, spreading throughout his left arm, causing it to swell to twice the size of his right arm. Facing the prospect of amputation, the hospital decided to try hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), placing NU in a pressurized chamber to breathe pure oxygen. This therapy accelerates wound healing, particularly for infections.
Within a week, NU's condition improved significantly. After cleaning the wound and removing necrotic tissue, doctors saved his arm. Following three months of physical therapy, NU regained full function.
NU’s doctor stated that he had never treated a human bite infection in his career. He cited a case study in the country where a patient died from a much smaller bite.
The hospital staff was also surprised by the severity of NU’s infection. The doctor explained that while bacteria in human saliva are generally harmless, they can cause serious and even fatal infections when introduced into subcutaneous tissue.
NU has since experienced another robbery at his store, thankfully without any bites. After 18 months, the police have yet to identify the two original assailants.
Hai Thu (Bursa5n1k)
