Monkey Bite: If a monkey bites or scratches you, do this immediately, otherwise the poison may spread.

Nowadays, the menace of monkeys is continuously increasing in many major cities, historical temples and hill tourist places of the country. Snatching food items from the hands of passers-by, scaring them or suddenly attacking them violently has now become a common problem. Often people ignore a monkey’s small cut or scratch considering it a minor thing, but doing so can prove to be extremely dangerous for health and fatal. Monkey’s teeth and nails contain many types of dangerous bacteria and viruses (such as rabies and herpes B virus), which can spread serious infections in the body. Therefore, instead of panicking if a monkey bites you, it is very important to take immediate action. If a monkey bites you, immediately follow these 4 first aid steps. First aid given immediately after a monkey bite or scratch (within the first 10 to 15 minutes) can reduce the risk of infection by 90%: Wash the wound with running water: The first and most important thing to do is to place the affected area under clean running water from the tap and wash it thoroughly. Use soap: Apply mild antiseptic or ordinary soap on the injured area and clean the wound for at least 5 to 10 minutes. The soap suds help in inactivate the virus present in the monkey’s saliva. Apply pressure to bleeding: If the wound is deep and bleeding continues, apply gentle pressure to the wound with the help of a clean cloth, sterilized gauze or bandage to stop the bleeding. Apply antiseptic cream: After drying the wound thoroughly, apply a good antiseptic or antibacterial cream/lotion on it. Do not tie the wound tightly immediately, but keep it covered with a clean cloth until the doctor sees you. Why is it very important to go to the doctor immediately? After a monkey bite, one should contact the nearest hospital or doctor without any delay. Run to the doctor immediately, especially in the following situations: If there is a deep wound: If the monkey’s teeth have gone deep or the flesh has come out. Swelling, redness, or severe pain: If the skin around the bitten area becomes rapidly reddened, swollen, or painful (these are signs of spreading infection). Fever or weakness: If the patient starts feeling high fever, shivering or severe weakness in the body within a few hours or days of the incident. These injections (Immunization & Vaccines) are very important. The case of monkey bite is considered under the threat of rabies. When visiting a doctor, mainly two types of injections are given which are life saving: Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV): Rabies is a fatal disease, for which there is no cure, but timely vaccination provides 100% protection from it. As per the doctor’s advice, get the full course of 3 to 5 vaccines (as per the schedule) done. Tetanus injection (Tetanus Toxoid): Tetanus shot is given to prevent the tetanus bacteria from spreading in the body through the wound. Rabies Immunoglobulin: If the wound is very deep, the doctor also injects rabies immunoglobulin around the wound to provide immediate protection. Take these precautions to avoid monkey attacks. To keep yourself safe while going to the monkey area, take special care of these things: Do not make these 3 mistakes even by mistake. Leaving the wound without washing: Thinking that the scratch is very small and tying a bandage directly on it without washing is the biggest carelessness. Relying on home remedies: Avoid applying things like chilli, turmeric, oil or any lime on the wound. This can increase the infection further. Delay in going to the doctor: The thought that ‘it will go away tomorrow’ can be overwhelming. In case of rabies and tetanus infection, time is of the essence, so consult a doctor on the very first day.