Rabies is a deadly viral infection that is mainly spread by infected animals.
CAUSES, INCIDENCE, AND RISK FACTORS
Rabies is spread by infected saliva that enters the body through a bite or broken skin. The virus travels from the wound to the brain, where it causes swelling, or inflammation. This inflammation leads to symptoms of the disease.
Animals that carry the disease – DOGS, CATS, MONKEYS, RACOONS, FOXES etc
Very rarely, rabies has been transmitted without an actual bite. This is believed to have been caused by infected saliva entering the body.
SYMPTOMS
The actual time between infection and when you get sick (called the "incubation period") ranges from 10 days - 7 years. The average incubation period is 3 - 7 weeks.
Symptoms may include:
- Anxiety, stress, and tension
- Drooling
- Convulsions
- Exaggerated sensation at the bite site
- Excitability
- Loss of feeling in an area of the body
- Loss of muscle function
- Low-grade fever (102 degrees F or lower)
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness and tingling
- Pain at the site of the bite
- Restlessness
- Swallowing difficulty (drinking causes spasms of the voicebox)
SIGNS AND TESTS
If an animal bites / scratches you and skin has broken, try to gather as much information about the animal as possible. Call your local animal control authorities to safely capture the animal. If rabies is suspected, the animal will be watched for signs of rabies.
A special test called immunofluorescence is used to look at the brain tissue after an animal is dead. This test can reveal whether or not the animal had rabies.
The same test can be used to check for rabies in humans, using a piece of skin from the neck. Doctors may also look for the rabies virus in your saliva or spinal fluid, although these tests are not as sensitive and may need to be repeated.
TREATMENT
Clean the wound well with soap and water, and seek professional medical help. You'll need a doctor to thoroughly clean the wound and remove any foreign objects. Most of the time, stitches should not be used for animal bite wounds.
If there is any risk of rabies, you will be given a series of a preventive vaccine. This is generally given in 5 doses over 28 days.
Most patients also receive a treatment called human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG). This is given the day the bite occurred.
Call your doctor right away after an animal bite or after being exposed to animals such as bats, foxes, and skunks. They may carry rabies.
- Call even when no bite took place.
- Immunization and treatment for possible rabies are recommended for at least up to 14 days after exposure or a bite.
There is no known effective treatment for people with symptoms of a rabies infection.
Expectations (prognosis)
It's possible to prevent rabies if immunization is given soon after the bite. To date, no one in the United States has developed rabies when given the vaccine promptly and appropriately.
Once the symptoms appear, the person rarely survives the disease, even with treatment. Death from respiratory failure usually occurs within 7 days after symptoms start.
Complications
Untreated, rabies can lead to coma and death.
Calling your health care provider
To help prevent rabies:
- Avoid contact with animals you don't know.
- Get vaccinated if you work in a high-risk occupation or travel to countries with a high rate of rabies.
- Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines by 4 months of age, followed by a booster shot 1 year later, and another one every 1 or 3 years, depending on the type of vaccine used.
- Follow quarantine regulations on importing dogs and other mammals in disease-free countries.
