5. Your Recovery at Home: Wound Care and When to Call Your Doctor

Your active participation in the healing process is essential for a full recovery. Proper home care and vigilant monitoring for complications will help ensure your wound heals correctly and without incident.

Here is your action plan for at-home care:

• Complete your full course of antibiotics: It is crucial to take all prescribed antibiotics, even if the wound looks and feels better. Stopping early can allow a more resistant infection to return.
• Care for the wound as directed: Follow the exact instructions from your doctor for cleaning the wound and changing the bandage. Also, adhere strictly to the schedule for your rabies vaccine series, as this is essential for your protection.
• Monitor for infection: Be vigilant for the signs of infection we discussed earlier: increasing pain, spreading redness, swelling, warmth, foul-smelling drainage (pus), or fever. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
• Attend all follow-up appointments: Follow-up visits are crucial for your health and safety. These appointments allow your doctor to check on your healing progress and administer any further vaccinations that are part of your treatment plan.

This guide is a resource, and the following section addresses some remaining common questions.