How should a human bite be treated, considering the risk of tendon or bone involvement?

The appropriate treatment for a human bite, particularly when there is a risk of tendon or bone involvement, involves the use of amoxicillin/clavulanate. This antibiotic combination is effective against a wide range of pathogens commonly associated with human bites, including both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The typical bacteria involved in human bites include both skin flora such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, and mouth flora such as Eikenella corrodens.

When a human bite occurs, there's a significant risk of serious infections due to the polymicrobial nature of the oral flora, especially if the injury is deep enough to implicate tendons or bones. Amoxicillin/clavulanate covers these organisms effectively, thus preventing complications such as infections which can lead to osteomyelitis or complications in the surrounding tissues.

In addition to antibiotic therapy, it is crucial to assess for tetanus prophylaxis, but this alone would not address the potential bacterial infection resulting from the bite. Using cephalexin may not provide adequate coverage for the oral flora, and relying solely on metronidazole would neglect the aerobic bacteria that are often involved in such wounds. Overall, the combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate is the standard of care for