One of the downsides to having a child in daycare is the risk of injury. No matter how well-mannered and closely monitored children are, there can be unfortunate circumstances that can occur. One of these involves biting.
It’s important to know the risks regarding child bites. Knowing how to treat a bite from a child on a child is important. There can be health concerns that need to be addressed and cared for properly. Let’s talk about what some of these risks are and how to take care of them properly.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease that can be passed from bodily fluids and blood. It is not passed between people through saliva. This only becomes concerning for a child if the bite breaks the skin and there is blood involved. One of the children would have to have Hepatitis B to be able to infect the other one.
If the person being bit has Hepatitis B, their blood can transfer into the biter’s mouth and could infect them. Likewise, if the biter has Hepatitis B, they can infect the child being bitten again if blood is involved. If your child has not been vaccinated against Hepatitis B, it’s important to have them seen by a doctor, if the bite involved blood.
Hepatitis C
Similar to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C can be transmitted between two children if the bite that happens draws blood. Hepatitis C is quite rare in children, and there has never been a documented case of Hep C being passed from one child to another in daycare. Again, if the bite doesn’t draw blood, there is nothing to worry about in terms of Hepatitis C risk.
HIV
HIV infection among children in daycare is rare, and there hasn’t been a documented case of an HIV-positive child transmitting it to another child through a bite. HIV is typically spread through sexual intercourse, from a positive mother to her baby, or through the sharing of HIV-tainted needles during drug use.
Protect Your Child and Care for Any Bites That Occur in Daycare
You can protect your child from bites from another child by being sure they are vaccinated against Hepatitis B or C. Teaching your children not to bite other children is also important. If your child receives a bite in daycare, be sure the daycare provider washes the wound, uses an antiseptic spray or gel, and applies a cold compress on it to aid the discomfort.