FYI: On Rabies

This is some information I compiled during the Rabies Awareness Campaign we conducted at Madras Christian College, Chennai. This page is an extension to the previous post: A Memoir, dedicated to my friend, Alan.

• Rabies is a zoonosis caused by the virus Lyssavirus rabies, which attacks the central nervous system.
• Rabies can be transmitted to humans from infected dogs, cats, bats, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, wolves, etc. may transmit the disease.
• A person is exposed to rabies either due to a bite from a rabid animal, or from exposure to its saliva on an open wound/cut.
• People who have been bitten by a stray/non-vaccinated animal, or licked by one over broken skin, should be treated within 12-48 hours.
• People exposed to rabies need to be treated with rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine initially. They must also get additional vaccine injections on the 3^rd, 7^th, 14^th and 28^th day after the first treatment.
• Rabies is 100% preventable if the treatment is started on time and followed up appropriately.
• The symptoms of rabies may begin to show immediately, or after a few weeks or months.
• Some of the symptoms include:
• Pain
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Swallowing difficulty
• Throat spasms while drinking, leading to hydrophobia or fear of water
• Delirium
• Excitability or combativeness
• Loss of muscle function, muscle spasms
• Drooling
• Convulsions
• Exaggerated sensation or pain at the bite site
• Hallucinations
• Loss of feeling in an area of the body
• Low-grade fever (102 F or lower)
• Numbness and tingling
• Restlessness
• Insomnia (sleeplessness)
• Once one or more of these symptoms begin to show, due to no treatment or incomplete treatment, there is NO CURE. In almost every instance, a person with visible symptoms will die from the disease.

Remember:

• You may be an animal lover, but be cautious while petting or playing with strays. Animals like cats and dogs can carry the deadly rabies virus which can be transmitted to humans, and can prove fatal.
• If you are bitten by a stray animal, be it a minor or major bite, seek immediate medical help.
• Even the saliva of a rabid animal is loaded with virus; so if you are licked by a dog on any open wound or cut on your skin, it will be transmitted to you. Seek medical help.
• Not all strays are rabid, but you never know. Don't take the risk.
• Even if the doctor does not insist, make sure you take a complete dose of anti-rabies injections.
• If you have pets at home, ensure that they are vaccinated regularly even if they are not in contact with strays or other animals. This is important because your pets may be taken for walks or other places where they may be exposed to the virus.

For more details, refer:

http://www.who.int/rabies/about/en/

http://www.onhealth.com/rabies/article.htm