Rabies is a virus infection. In humans it’s always fatal, once symptoms have developed. Humans usually catch rabies when they are bitten, licked or scratched by an infected pet or by a stray / wild animal. The contact introduces the rabies virus into a wound. Infected animals can often behave unpredictably – a normally friendly pet may turn very aggressive, or a usually timid wild animal may become apparently tame. Such unusual behaviour poses particular dangers for young children, who may become delighted by the ‘friendliness’ of an infected wild creature.
6.Rabies
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a virus infection. In humans it’s always fatal, once symptoms have developed. Humans usually catch rabies when they are bitten, licked or scratched by an infected pet or by a stray / wild animal. The contact introduces the rabies virus into a wound. Infected animals can often behave unpredictably – a normally friendly pet may turn very aggressive, or a usually timid wild animal may become apparently tame. Such unusual behaviour poses particular dangers for young children, who may become delighted by the ‘friendliness’ of an infected wild creature.
How do you catch Rabies?
Infection is from the saliva of an infected or rabid animal, usually a dog, cat or a monkey. In most cases infection results from a bite but just a lick on an open cut, sore, or even the eyes or mouth could be enough. A human case of rabies can also infect other people in the same way. Some animals, particularly dogs, carry the virus but can appear unaffected for up to 6 months.
What is the incubation period (time from exposure to first symptoms)?
This varies. Usually it takes 2-8 weeks, but can be as short as 5 days, or as longer than 10 years.
Usually diagnosis is based on the typical symptoms including signs and symptoms like:
Fever
Headache
Vague sensations at the bite site
Weakness
Paralysis
Spasm of swallowing muscles (hydrophobia) leading to fear of drinking water
Delirium
Convulsions
Bizarre behaviour
All the signs and symptoms gradually progress to death, which usually occurs, from the paralysis of breathing, in under a week.
Once symptoms develop, death is inevitable in all cases. There is no cure. Treatment consists of first aid management to the initial wound and then and vaccine administered promptly following exposure, and before symptoms develop. This vaccine may have to be given together with a specialised human immunoglobulin immunisation at the first visit following exposure to rabies.
1.Vigorously wash and flush the wound site with soap and water, OR detergent OR water alone. This is important.
2.Apply either ethanol OR tincture or aqueous solution of iodine.
3.Seek the advice of local medical authorities, informing them of any vaccine you have already had.
4.If possible, take the name and address of the owner of the animal or get the local police to trace the animal urgently.
The only sure way is to avoid getting bitten! Discourage children from contact with unknown animals. Be aware that rabies is in developed as well as developing countries. High risk areas include, but are not specifically limited to: Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, Vietnam.