Rabies is a viral disease transmitted from mammals to humans that causes an acute encephalitis (inflammation of the active tissues of the brain inflammation of the active tissues of the brain). There are two clinical manifestations of rabies which are furious and paralytic. Furious rabies is the most common form of human rabies. Once symptoms of the disease develop, either form is almost always fatal. Rabies is transmitted through mucosal exposure to infected animals, such as rabid dogs, bats and sometimes other species. As dog bites cause almost all human cases, we can prevent rabies deaths by increasing awareness, vaccinating dogs to prevent the disease at its source and administering life-saving post-exposure prophylaxis to people after they have been bitten.
What are the first steps to do when a dog bites you?
If a dog bites you, take these steps right away:
Wash the wound: Use mild soap, and run warm tap water over it for 5 to 10 minutes.
Slow the bleeding: Use a clean cloth to stop the bleeding.
Apply over-the counter antibiotic cream: Apply an iodine-containing or anti-viral medication preparation on top of the wound 15 minutes after it has been washed and flushed.
Wrap the wound: Use a sterile bandage to wrap the wound.
Keep the wound bandaged and see your doctor.
Change the bandage several times a day once your doctor has examined the wound.
See a doctor as soon as possible. They’ll treat the wound and decide whether you need a rabies vaccination. If you’ve been exposed to rabies in the past few months, they’ll likely run a number of tests (saliva, blood, spinal fluid, skin, and hair) to check for the rabies virus or antibodies.
If your doctor suspects rabies, they’ll begin treatment with the rabies vaccine -- post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The vaccine is always successful if it’s given immediately after exposure.
What is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)?
PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is the administration of rabies vaccine, with or without rabies immunoglobulin, after an exposure and includes:
1. Wound washing and wound care.
2. Administration of rabies immunoglobulins (RIG), depending on the severity of the exposure.
3. Administration of a series of rabies vaccine injections immediately after an exposure.
Can you tell if an animal has Rabies?
It is difficult to tell if the dog that has bitten you is rabid or not. Most dog that have rabies actually act shy or timid in the silent form of their rabies. But there are some signs that you may observe in the dog.
The main signs that appear are:
Irritability.
Excessive aggression.
Agitation and discomfort.
Hydrophobia or fear of water.
Hypersensitivity to stimuli such as light and noise.
Excessive salivation around the snout.
Disorientation.
Convulsions.
If you observe any of these signs DO inform your doctor about it.
How to know if you are infected with Rabies?
Typically, there are no symptoms right away. Rabies can lay dormant in your body for 1 to 3 months. Doctors call this the “incubation period.” Symptoms will appear once the virus travels through your central nervous system and hits your brain.
The first sign that something is wrong is fever. You might feel generally tired or weak. You may also feel pain, tingling, or burning at the site of the wound. As the virus spreads through your central nervous system, you’ll develop other, more severe symptoms. They include:
Inability to sleep (insomnia)
Anxiety
Confusion
Slight or partial paralysis
Hyperactivity
Being easily agitated
Hallucinations
Salivating more than usual
Difficulty swallowing
In time, these symptoms give way to coma, heart or lung failure, and death.
Once a rabies infection is established, there's no effective treatment. 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.
How to deal with Stray animals?
Stray dogs are in as much need of love as household pets even more so, perhaps, because they get short supply of it. But while trying to befriend these dogs you need to be cautious so that you don't scare them and end up being attacked by them. Always remember,
Not all dogs are rabid... don't be scared of rabies, be aware of it and act accordingly.
Here are some tips on "How do you approach a stray?"
Be calm but cautious: Remember, stray dogs can be wild and they often haven’t had great experiences with humans. Observe the dog’s behavior. If they seem aggressive, don’t approach.
Avoid eye contact and move slowly: Dogs can see this as a sign of aggression and they will immediately mark you as a threat.
Getting their attention: Never startle the stray, as that can lead to them becoming instantly aggressive. Always keep your manner light and friendly, and make sure you radiate confidence.
Petting: Most dogs like petting but keep an eye on the dog’s body language. If they seem skittish or if they growl, stop. You can always try again once you’ve found a way into their hearts.
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