Rabies FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is rabies?
It is caused by a virus which medical experts describe as “neurotropic” because of its attraction to nerve tissues. Once the virus has found its way into the cell tissue of a host, it turns into a highly prolific producer. The virus is transmitted to man by the bit of rabid animals.
Who can get rabies?
Anyone can get rabies. However, cases are highly seen in developing countries because mainly of poor control of stray dogs and cats and poor vaccination of dogs. Incidence was noted higher in children below 15 years old.
Are dogs the only rabies carrier?
Dogs aren’t the only carriers of rabies. The main carriers are bats. Rabies is also carried by cattle, cats, swine, monkeys and even human being who had been bitten by rabid animals. It is reportedly “extremely rare” in squirrels, rats and mice.
They say the dog’s saliva is curative, is it safe to let my pet lick my wounds?
Some people believe that the saliva of dogs has some curative properties and they encourage their pets to lick their wounds. This practice is extremely dangerous, no matter how you religiously immunize your pet.
I was bitten by a dog, what should I do?
The following first aid measures should be followed by a person bitten by a dog or any animal assumed to be rabid.
- Scrub the wound or bitten area with soap and detergent and under running tap (water) for at least five minutes.
- Remove any foreign material from the site as this may also lead to infection.
- Rinse with plain water; and
- Irrigate with a viricidal agent such as alcohol or povidone iodine.
Then be sure to consult a physician immediately for appropriate preventive measures. These practices should also be applied to those licked wounds, especially the open ones.
Who can be given rabies vaccine?
Anyone who was bitten by a dog or a rabid animal should receive vaccine, especially in areas where there are high cases of rabies. Further, victims of dog bites in the dangerous sites such as the head, neck, face, fingertips and back should immediately be given rabies vaccine. The nearer the site of the bite to the brain, the faster the movement of the virus.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
Symptoms may include nausea, a slight headache which is usually accompanied by fever, and a feeling of fatigue, lasting from two to three days or even more from the time of inception. But once the virus reaches the brain and starts to “colonize,” it tortures its victim with terrifying ferocity.
A rabid patient often become maniacal… An excessive flow of thick saliva pours over his face and neck and becomes smeared on hands and clothes and over the bedding and floor…Convulsions are brought about by the least irritation and by the slightest current of air. When the patient attempts to drink, there is an immediate viselike contraction of the muscles of deglutition with an excruciatingly painful spasm of the glottis and the pharynx. The body trembles with convulsive movements, the jaws are clenched, respiration is impossible. As a rule, death occurs after two or three days from cardiac or respiratory failure.
