What to do if bitten?

Here is a question. If a person is bitten by a zombie on a limb, like a hand. Are the done for, or is it possible to avoid infection by amputation if its done quickly enought?

I can't remember this being brought up in any of the movies, but I admit I haven't seen every zombie movie out there.

[BarnabusBlackoak]

Originally Posted by jzday

Here is a question. If a person is bitten by a zombie on a limb, like a hand. Are the done for, or is it possible to avoid infection by amputation if its done quickly enought?

I can't remember this being brought up in any of the movies, but I admit I haven't seen every zombie movie out there.

If done immediately, it might work.

[8mmUltra]

Originally Posted by jzday

Here is a question. If a person is bitten by a zombie on a limb, like a hand. Are the done for, or is it possible to avoid infection by amputation if its done quickly enought?

I can't remember this being brought up in any of the movies, but I admit I haven't seen every zombie movie out there.

They are done for… (Once Bitten twice Dead) There is no known vaccine, medication, anti-viral, or antidote for the virus. The problem is the blood stream and within a single beat of the heart the virus will rush the infection through the body. The only cure is a bullet to the brain and this needs to be done before self preservation of the infected takes over as they are a threat on multiple levels.

[ZombiesAteMyDog]

youd have to be stupid quick, youd have to get the arm off with in 30 seconds or less of being bitten to stop the infection from getting into the blood and through out the entire body, and most likely you would still be in shock from what just happend to you / your friend / traveling partner to be able to react as quickly as needed, IE with in a second or 2 of being bitten having your knife / machete out and chopin off the arm.

soon as anyone is bittien shoot them in the head... best policy you will find.

[8mmUltra]

I would think 30 seconds is about 29.6 seconds too slow.... Heartbeats 60 to 100 (on average) times a minute.

[zombieslayr]

yes 8mm is right. It has to be next to NINJA LIKE reflex in order to catch it in time. It will be spread through your system in under 5 seconds no problem.

[detpat]

have a drink and relax
pat

[Victor Clark]

I also strongly agree; once you're bitten, you're screwed.

Although when you think about it, being bitten can acually be a good boost in your courage. I mean yeah, you'll probably be depressed that your life is shortened very severely, but it also means you don't have to care whether or not another one bites you (the damage is already done, right?). If your uninfected group had to get to safety, and the only way to do that is for one of them to do something risky and life-threatening, you would have no problem at all to do the task. Even though you would die, your memory will live on forever with the survivors.

[Slashmatrix]

I disagree, it depends on what is causing the undead situation. First, we'll assume that we are discussing what has come to be known in THIS day and age as the a-typical zombie, and that a bite = infection. But, infection how? If it is purely viral then there is little hope. But, what if it is bacterial, chemical, or parasitic. Blood poisoning can take a while to get to the heart, then you're done for. Same for some blood-borne infections, that's why you look for those creeping little red lines after a serious wound. Once again, it gets to your heart, you're dead. Not all parasites can be seen with the naked eye. Take toxoplasmosis, for example.

An indicator may be how long it takes the average person to change after infection. If the infection immediately coursed its way through the system, the infected would change in as little as a few seconds to a couple of minutes. However, if it takes a few hours or more to change from one bite, then there might be a chance for amputation to work. However, amputation by an inexperienced individual would most likely result in the death of the infected anyway.

Anyway, making any assumptions during a crisis could have tragic consequences. Besides, amputating a comrade:

1. Gives your buddy a chance to survive.
2. Gives you a chance to see just how fast the infection spreads.

[Zombie_215]

I can't remember this being brought up in any of the movies, but I admit I haven't seen every zombie movie out there.

It was attempted in Day of the Dead. I don't remember the soldier's name.

[8mmUltra]

“Slashmatrix” I am not sure what you disagree with. If “bite = infection” then “infection = death”. I can understand some of you confusion, NotLD original the problem was believed to be caused by radioactive virus from the Venus probe returning to earth (or just radiation). In DotD original the exact cause isn’t covered but they did give us a great catch phrase, “When there’s no more room in hell.”

Back to your post, “Blood poisoning can take a while to get to the heart”. The blood poisoning you are talking about does not attack the heart but the BRAIN, this is why the brain must be destroyed to stop the ghoul.

“Anyway, making any assumptions during a crisis could have tragic consequences.” I have to agree with this. However, “Gives your buddy a chance to survive.” No thank you. This is the reason a Zombie Outbreak stands a chance of happening in the first place. Failing to act swiftly will allow the ghouls to procreate more of their kind.

“Gives you a chance to see just how fast the infection spreads.” Why? There is no cure. Another member (Victor Clark) suggested using the recently bitten as a sacrificial distraction (my words). What a HARD BASTARD! (Said with respect) I want that person on my team, sounds like he has the will to survive.

[8mmUltra]

Originally Posted by Zombie_215

It was attempted in Day of the Dead. I don't remember the soldier's name.

Pvt. Miguel Salazar...

[Slashmatrix]

My point is that if the "dead" started walking tomorrow, assuming that rules from any work of fiction works and others don't can lead to serious tragedy. Saying, "These are the rules, this is what works." might just get you or some innocent killed. Even across CURRENT zombie fiction, there are many variations. You can't just say, "Zombies will be slow because I prefer them that way. Infection is un-treatable because I prefer it that way." I'm just saying that I prefer whichever route it is that give me the most usable information on the enemy.

To run from the fiction standpoint: Some movies, like NOTLD et. al. say that amputation doesn't work. Other works, such as Walking Dead, it isn't so certain. I would say that it would depend on how fast the infection moves through the body. Like cancer, I think that if it hits the lymph nodes, you're done for. If it's bacterial and works its way to your heart, it's over. As far as brain infection, I think that some of these zombie infections kill the host first so that it can creep past the blood-brain barrier to reignite animation. That would explain the "in between" time between host death and reactivation.

It would really help if we could establish which rules we are arguing from. What version are we trying to use amputation on?

[Kemper]

Can you infect others once you are bitten or only after you die?

[Slashmatrix]

dunno... I would assume that whatever causes infection would need time to gestate... however, I think a blood transfusion would guarantee infection.