“Rabies” is a serious disease that continuously outbreaks and can be found throughout the year, especially in the summer when it is more common because animals tend to be more irritable than usual, leading to more scratching or biting of people nearby.
What causes rabies?
It is caused by the Rabies Virus, which is a virus that causes disease in all mammals such as humans, dogs, cats, monkeys, gibbons, squirrels, and bats. Once infected, the disease causes neurological symptoms, especially in the central nervous system, and it is always fatal.
Dog bites, cat scratches, or licking – be cautious of rabies
Most people contract rabies from the saliva of infected animals, which can enter the body through bites, scratches, or licking. The virus can enter through wounds, abrasions, or if the animal’s saliva splashes into the eyes, mouth, or broken skin.
What to do if scratched, licked, or bitten by an animal?
- Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with water and soap. If bleeding occurs, allow the blood to flow out; do not squeeze or press the wound as this may spread the virus to other areas.
- Disinfect the wound with an antiseptic. Use povidone iodine or hibitane in water; if unavailable, use 70% alcohol or iodine tincture. Do not cover the wound unless there is heavy bleeding or a large wound.
- Remember the characteristics of the animal to trace the owner and assess the risk of rabies infection.
- See a doctor immediately to receive rabies vaccination within 2 days and strictly follow the vaccination schedule prescribed by the doctor.
- Quarantine the animal for 10 days to observe symptoms, providing food and water as usual. If the animal dies, report immediately to the local livestock authority.
Watch carefully for these symptoms indicating rabies infection
- Early symptoms
The patient will have inflammation of the brain and meninges within the first 2-3 days, possibly experiencing body aches, low fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, itching, or burning pain at the bite site, even though the wound may have healed normally.
- Neurological symptoms
The patient will become irritable, restless, and aggressive for about 2-3 days, then start to become depressed and develop phobias such as fear of light, wind, loud noises, or water, which may appear individually. Excessive salivation, difficulty and pain swallowing due to muscle spasms involved in swallowing may occur, but the patient can still speak coherently.
- Final stage
Symptoms worsen with increased agitation, alternating with seizures. Some patients may become paralyzed, lose consciousness, and eventually die because critical parts of the brain are destroyed. On average, death occurs within 2-6 days due to paralysis of respiratory muscles as the disease rapidly progresses.
Protect yourself by getting the rabies vaccine
To prepare the body to fight rabies, we can protect ourselves by receiving a pre-exposure vaccination consisting of 3 doses within 1 month, which can be given to people of all ages and genders. After vaccination, if bitten by an animal, there is no need for rabies immunoglobulin; only 1-2 booster vaccine doses are required. This will provide effective immunity against rabies.
Is the vaccine 100% effective?
Although vaccinated, there is still a chance of contracting rabies if exposed to a large amount of virus or bitten in areas with many nerves, which may lead to infection. However, pre-exposure rabies vaccination improves the effectiveness of disease prevention.
