Question

A 14 year old boy comes with his mom to the clinic following getting bit by a neighbors dog. The bite is on his calf and is red but does not appear to be infected. The patient has asthma and is allergic to tree nuts and penicillin. What antibiotic is first line treatment for dog bites for this patient?

a. Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin)
b. Doxycycline BID
c. Azithromycin (Z-pack)
d. Cephalosporin

Answer 1

For a 14-year-old boy with a penicillin allergy and asthma seeking treatment for a dog bite, cephalosporins are a suitable first-line treatment option. If cephalosporins are contraindicated, azithromycin may also be used as an alternative.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first-line antibiotic treatment for a dog bite in a 14-year-old boy who is allergic to penicillin and has asthma would generally be amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin). However, due to the patient's penicillin allergy, amoxicillin-clavulanate is not a suitable option. In such a case, a cephalosporin may be considered, as it is effective and typically safe for individuals with a penicillin allergy, provided there is no history of a severe allergic reaction to penicillins. Azithromycin (Z-pack) could be used if cephalosporins are contraindicated or if the patient has an allergy to cephalosporins as well. Doxycycline is also an alternative but it's typically not the first-line treatment in children under the age of 8 due to the risk of teeth discoloration and other considerations.