Rabies is a highly infectious viral disease. Actually it is a fatal disease which affecting the central nervous system. That’s why if you have pets or specially dog then you should know about rabies how it spreads or transmitted to human beings for avoiding this viral disease.

Rabies

Rabies is a highly infectious vial disease that affects the central nervous system and why you can see unusual symptoms in person with rabies infection.

The virus responsible for the disease is the lyssa virus Type-1 which is found in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted to humans beings by the bite of animals like dogs, cat, wolf, fox etc.

This disease is found in both animals and human beings, because of the disease the person who is infected with rabies is terrorised by water that’s why this disease also called as hydrophobia.

It is as much fatal in which death is almost sure if after bitten by infected dog and not taking immediate action.

It is not definite that the saliva of all rabies animal contain viruses this can be inactive also, in 50% cases even after animal bite the disease does not occur.

In human beings this disease is transmitted by the following ways:-

By animal bites : In most of the cases this disease occurs due to dog bite but the bite of cat, monkey, horse, sheep, and wild animals can also produce this disease.

The disease may spread by licking of infected animals [Through wound or cut skin].

Aerosol or the very small drops of saliva or an infected person biting another, may transmit this disease. In rare chances, man to man transmission of rabies is also observed.

What are the symptoms of rabies

The first symptom of rabies may be very similar to those of flu including weakness or discomfort, fever and headache and these symptoms may last for days.

Pain and tingling occurs in the place where the dog had bitten.

The symbolic symptom of this disease is the person cannot tolerate bright light, noise and cold wave and starts getting aerophobia.

Dilatation of pupils, excessive perspiration and salivations starts and the infected person becomes irritable, angry and depressive due to the fear of death.

Person cannot swallow liquids and if hearing the sound of water or if seeing water then the person starts getting spasm and contraction of larynx and swallowing muscles and feels a lot of pain or asphyxia hence it is called hydrophobia.

The person can remain in this stage for 5 to 6 days. In this disease respiratory paralysis, complete unconsciousness or spasm and repeated convulsion causes survival rare.

Symptoms of rabies in dog

Aimless running of the dog

Barking loudly

Try to bite

Deep breathes

Dog die within 10 days after biting

What is the management of the rabies

This disease has no definite treatment, only symptomatic treatment is given.

The person should be isolated in a lonely quiet room, painkillers are used for reducing pain muscular relaxant for spasm.

Because this disease is extremely infectious that’s why appropriate precautions should be taken when handling the person.

Strict isolation of infected person is very important or the secretions of person should be disposed off properly because the secretions of infected person is highly infectious and could infect the other person.

Person with any wound or cut in skin should not be come in the room of the infected person and other people also should wear proper mask and gloves before entering in the room of person.

What to do if bitten by Dog

Local treatment of wound should be done.

If the wound is caused by bite of doubtful animal or dog, then the wound should be washed immediately with soap and water so that the infected saliva will be cleaned.

If there is no soap wash the wound for five minutes under running water. After that antiseptic solution apply on the wound for eg. Betadine, by this possibility of spread of infection is minimised after that send the person to hospital as soon as possible.

Observe the animal who has bitten, for the 10 days , if the animal or the dog does not die, then the chances of becoming mad is less. If the animal dies within 7 to 10 days then anti rabies treatment is started.

Rabies vaccine

These vaccine are mainly used;

Nervous tissue vaccine

Duck embryo vaccine

Cell culture Vaccine

• Human diploid cell -HDC

• Non human diploid vaccine

• Second Generation vaccine

Dose of rabies vaccine depends upon the type of bite, condition of the wound, age of the person .

HDC vaccine 1ml IM (three injections on 0, 3, and 7 days) if the bite is not severe only 2 dose are given on 0 or third day.

How to prevent from Rabies

Rabies in human is 100% preventable through prompt appropriate medical care.

The most important global source of rabies in humans is from uncontrolled rabies in dogs which can be prevented .

Major source of rabies in humans can be eliminated through the adequate animal vaccination and control or enhancing access of those who is bitten to appropriate medical care.