What is Rabies? Causes & Sign & Symptoms, Treatment (Vaccine).

Rabies is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in humans and other mammals. Early symptoms can include fever and tingling at the site of exposure. These symptoms are followed by one or more of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, fear of water, an inability to move parts of the body, confusion, and loss of consciousness.Once symptoms appear, the result is virtually always death.The time period between contracting the disease and the start of symptoms is usually one to three months but can vary from less than one week to more than one year.The time depends on the distance the virus must travel along peripheral nerves to reach the central nervous system . 

“A deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals.
Rabies is usually transmitted through an animal bite, for example, from stray dogs.”

*Rabies is caused by  lyssaviruses.

 It is spread when an infected animal bites or scratches a human or other animal.Saliva from an infected animal can also transmit rabies if the saliva comes into contact with the eyes, mouth, or nose.

In countries where dogs commonly have the disease, more than 99% of rabies cases are the direct result of dog bites.Rodents are very rarely infected with rabies.The disease can be diagnosed only after the start of symptoms.

Animal control and vaccination programs have decreased the risk of rabies from dogs in a number of regions of the world.Immunizing people before they are exposed is recommended for those at high risk, including those who work with bats or who spend prolonged periods in areas of the world where rabies is common.

In people who have been exposed to rabies, the rabies vaccine and sometimes rabies immunoglobulinare effective in preventing the disease if the person receives the treatment before the start of rabies symptoms.

Washing bites and scratches for 15 minutes with soap and water, povidone-iodine,or detergent may reduce the number of viral particles and may be somewhat effective at preventing transmission.

Causes –

The rabies virus causes a rabies infection. The virus spreads through the saliva of infected animals. Infected animals can spread the virus by biting another animal or a person. In rare cases, rabies can be spread when infected saliva gets into an open wound or the mucous membranes, such as the mouth or eyes.

Symptoms–

(OR)

Symptoms include fever, headache, excess salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion.

Anxiety, brain death, coma, difficulty swallowing, dilated pupil, drooling, excess salivation, headache, mental confusion, seizures, or stiff neck. Dizziness, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, or malaise,nausea or vomiting,sensitivity to light,fear, or hallucination.

How long does rabies take to show symptoms?

Rabies symptoms appear when the rabies virus reaches the brain or spinal cord, usually 30 to 50 days after a person is bitten. However, this interval can vary from 10 days to more than a year. The closer the bite to the brain (for example, on the face), the more quickly symptoms appear.

What are the first signs of rabies in a human?

The first symptoms of rabies may be similar to the flu, including weakness or discomfort, fever, or headache. There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. These symptoms may last for days. Symptoms then progress to cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, and agitation.

Can a person survive rabies?

Though a small number of people have survived rabies, the disease usually causes death. For that reason, if you think you’ve been exposed to rabies, you must get a series of shots to prevent the infection from taking hold.

Why are rabies patients afraid of water?

People used to call rabies hydrophobia because it appears to cause a fear of water. The reason is that the infection causes intense spasms in the throat when a person tries to swallow. Even the thought of swallowing water can cause spasms, making it appear that the individual is afraid of water.

What if dog bites but no blood?

Keep the wound clean and look out for any frothing from the mouth of the dog, aggressive nature, if you develop a high grade fever in the coming days, incase you develop these symptoms you should visit the nearest ER at the earliest.

Can dog teeth scratch cause rabies?

Although it is highly unlikely to contract rabies from a scratch, it can still happen. All the virus needs is a point of entry, Resurreccion said, like broken skin. She said, however, that not all dogs or cats infected with rabies show aggression.

Rabies symptoms in humans timeline

The first symptoms of rabies can appear from a few days to more than a year after the bite happens. At first, there’s a tingling, prickling, or itching feeling around the bite area. A person also might have flu-like symptoms such as a fever, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and tiredness.

Can rabies be transmitted through kissing?

Rabies is only transmitted by animal bites: FALSE. Rabies is transmitted through contact with the saliva of an infected animal. Bites are the most common mode of Rabies transmission but the virus can be transmitted when saliva enters any open wound or mucus membrane (such as the mouth, nose, or eye).

Prevention-

Consider the rabies vaccine if you’re traveling or often around animals that may have rabies.

Vaccinate your pets.

Protect small pets from predators. 

Keep bats out of your home.

How do you prevent rabies in humans?

Rabies in humans can be prevented either by eliminating exposures to rabid animals or by providing exposed persons with prompt local treatment of wounds combined with appropriate passive and active immunization.

How do you prevent rabies after biting?

Getting a rabies vaccination as soon as possible after an animal bite is the best way to prevent the infection. The rabies vaccine is given in a series of five shots over 14 days. Doctors will treat your wound by washing it for at least 15 minutes with soap and water, detergent, or iodine.

How rabies can be prevented?

Rabies prevention is mostly about good pet care and outdoor behavior. Vaccinate pets and keep them away from outdoor and wild animals. Don’t approach wild animals. Keep bats out of the home, and stay away from areas with bats (caves).

How to prevent rabies without vaccine

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people. Dog vaccination reduces deaths attributable to dog-mediated rabies and the need for PEP as a part of dog bite patient care.

Can your body naturally fight off rabies?

This evidence adds to other findings suggesting that natural immunity can fight off rabies viruses; bats often show rVNAs, unvaccinated wildlife trappers and hunters have shown antibodies to rabies virus, and a handful of unvaccinated human patients have survived clinical rabies.

What is the method of preventing rabies?

Wash animal bites or scratches immediately with soap and water. If you are bitten, scratched, or unsure, talk to a healthcare provider about whether you need postexposure prophylaxis. Rabies in people is 100% preventable through prompt appropriate medical care. Vaccinate your pets to protect them and your family.

Who is most at risk of rabies?

Children are often at greatest risk from rabies. They are more likely to be bitten by dogs, and are also more likely to be severely exposed through multiple bites in high-risk sites on the body. Severe exposures make it more difficult to prevent rabies unless access to good medical care is immediately available.

What kills the rabies virus?

The rabies virus is killed by sunlight, drying, soap, and the other agents mentioned. In animal experiments, early effective wound cleaning has been shown to prevent rabies infection. Immunisation is a medical urgency after wound cleaning, although not a medical emergency.

Rabies vaccine ;

Rabies vaccine is an active immunizing agent used to prevent infection caused by the rabies virus. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the rabies virus.

The rabies vaccine is a vaccine used to prevent rabies. There are a number of rabies vaccines available that are both safe and effective. They can be used to prevent rabies before, and for a period of time after, exposure to the rabies virus, which is commonly caused by a dog bite or a bat bite.

What antibiotic is given for dog bites?

Infected animal bite wounds should be treated with an empiric antimicrobial agent, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, that is active against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. For intravenous therapy, ampicillin-sulbactam or piperacillin-tazobactam may be used.

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