Rabies

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The virus travels through damaged skin to nerve endings and through them to the brain and spinal cord. The disease is fatal to humans and the disease can only be prevented with emergency vaccination.

Features:

According to the World Health Organization, 59 people die of rabies each year. Ninety-nine percent of them were bitten by a rabid dog. However, the availability of vaccines for animals and humans has led to a decrease in mortality in cases of rabies.

The virus affects the central nervous system, causing inflammation of the brain in particular. Skunks have the ability to transmit the virus to humans through the bites and irritations of local dogs, cats, rabbits and wild animals. Depends on prompt treatment measures to combat rabies.

Signs and symptoms of rabies

The main symptom of rabies in humans is hydrophobia or fear of water. Fear of drinking water is observed first, then signs of fear are also observed when you see water and talk about water. There are also trembling movements of the swallowing muscles, fear, seizures, interruptions in breathing. Epilepsy occurs with the effects of sound and light; the patient breaks everything and begins to throw himself at people, after a “violent” attack, “silence” - the initial sign of paralysis - begins. Then the patient stops breathing and dies.

The time from the bite to the onset of symptoms is called the incubation period of the disease. Symptoms of rabies usually begin 4-12 weeks after a person becomes ill. However, the incubation period can also last several days or up to six years.

Rabies starts with flu-like symptoms, including:

• Fever;
• Muscle weakness;
• Pains.

In addition, a feeling of irritation may be observed at the bite site.

In addition to these main symptoms, there is also a rise in body temperature to 37 ° C, depression, sleep disturbances, insomnia, restlessness, pain at the site of the bite (even if the wound has healed). As the virus continues to infect the central nervous system, the disease can develop into two different types.

Angry rabies

Excessive mobility and aggression are observed in people who develop rabies. Other symptoms:

• Insomnia;
• Discomfort;
• Chaos;
• Propaganda;
• Hallucinations;
• Excessive salivation;
• Problems with swallowing;
• Fear of water.

Paralyzed (peaceful) rabies

This form of rabies takes longer to develop, but the effects are severe. The sick person gradually begins to paralyze and eventually falls into a coma, which can even lead to death. According to the World Health Organization, paralysis occurs in 30% of cases of rabies.

What kind of people get rabies?

The rabies virus dies quickly in the external environment.

The rabies virus is transmitted to humans through saliva from the bite or irritation of rabid animals. Any contact with mucous membranes or an open wound can cause viral infection. The virus can only be transmitted from animal to human or from animal to animal. Although human-to-human transmission of the virus is rare, several cases have been reported.

When a person is bitten, the virus spreads to the brain through nerves. The virus begins to multiply rapidly and rapidly in the brain. This activity leads to severe inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and the person’s condition quickly deteriorates and the person dies. If the injury is in the head or neck area, the brain and spinal cord injury will start faster. If the injury is in the neck, seek help as soon as possible.

Animals that can transmit the disease

The main symptom of the disease in animals is a change in the behavior of the animal: a good pet is aggressive, wild and ready to bite.

Both wild and domestic animals can spread the rabies virus. The following animals are the main causes of rabies in humans:

• Dogs;
• Bats;
• Cats;
• Cows;
• Goats;
• Horses;
• Rabbits;
• Beavers;
• Wolf;
• Chiyabori;
• Monkey;
• Skunks.

Who is at risk of rabies

For most people, the risk of contracting rabies is relatively low. However, there is a group of people who are at high risk for rabies. These include:

• Living in an area where bats live a lot;
• Travel to developing countries;
• Living in areas that are more exposed to wildlife living in rural areas and do not have prophylactic treatment with vaccines and immunoglobulin;
• Frequent trips to the mountains for recreation and contact with wildlife;
• Being under 15 (rabies is common in this age group);

Although dogs are responsible for many cases of rabies in the world, bats are the main carrier of rabies in South and North America and cause most deaths.

Diagnosis

There are no methods to detect the early stages of rabies infection. Once symptoms begin, a blood test or tissue analysis can help the doctor determine a person’s medical condition. If a person is bitten by a wild animal, doctors usually prescribe a prophylactic rabies vaccine to stop the infection before symptoms appear.

Usually laboratory diagnosis is not performed, but there is a way to detect rabies virus antigen on the surface of the eye.

Can rabies be treated

After being infected with the rabies virus, a series of injections are given to prevent the person from becoming ill. An anti-rabies immunoglobulin is given to fight the virus. It allows the immediate administration of anti-rabies antibodies and prevents the virus from entering. Then getting the rabies vaccine is the key to preventing this disease. Rabies vaccines are given in a series of five injections over 14 days.

The Animal Surveillance Service will probably try to find the person who bit the animal to check. If the animal is not rabid, the person can get rid of the injections. However, if the animal is not found, the safest course of action is to take treatment.

The earlier the rabies vaccine is given, the higher the chances of preventing the disease. Doctors treat the wound by washing it with soap and water or iodine for at least 15 minutes. They then release immunoglobin and begin a series of injections to vaccinate against rabies. This protocol is called “postoperative prevention”.

Side effects of treatment

The rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin can very rarely cause some side effects, including:

• Pain, swelling, or itching at the injection site;
• Headache;
• Nausea;
• Abdominal pain;
• Muscle pain;
• Dizziness.

Prevention

Rabies can be prevented. There are a few simple steps to avoid getting rabies:

1. Get vaccinated against rabies before traveling to developing countries, working in close contact with animals, or working in a laboratory that treats the rabies virus.
2. Vaccination of pets.
3. Report wild dogs to the Animal Control Service.
4. Avoid contact with wild animals.
5. Avoid getting close to the house and bats entering the house.