Rabies Disease and Vaccination
Uploaded on: 6 June 2023
Rabies is a disease caused by animal bites, mainly dogs. This disease is very life threatening and life can be saved only if timely and appropriate treatment is given.
1.What is rabies?
- Rabies is a viral disease spread by animal bites.
- After entering the patient’s body, the rabies virus attacks the central nervous system, i.e. the nervous system. This causes swelling in the patient’s head and spine.
2.How is rabies spread?
- Rabies is mainly found in wild animals but also to some extent in domestic pets.
- The disease is spread through the saliva of animals infected with rabies.
- According to the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), the rabies virus enters the human body through animal saliva from animal bites, scratches, and licking of open wounds on humans.
- In India, dogs are responsible for 95 percent of cases of rabies in humans. So, rabies is transmitted by cats in 2 percent cases and foxes or mongooses in 1 percent cases.
3.What are the symptoms of rabies?
According to experts, the symptoms of rabies are sometimes noticed very late. But, by then, treatment is likely to be difficult.
Symptoms begin one week to one year after exposure to rabies
Usually, the symptoms of the disease appear even after 2-3 months. According to the World Health Organization,
- Fever and body aches
- Swelling of the brain and spine after the virus enters the central nervous system.
- In furious rabies, the patient’s behavior changes. The patient becomes hyper or has a fear of water
- Death due to acute heart attack
- In paralytic rabies, the muscles gradually weaken. The patient goes into a coma and then dies
4.How to clean an animal bite?
The rabies virus enters the human body through the saliva of animals. Therefore, it is most important to clean the wound after an animal bite.
Proper treatment of a wound after an animal bite is extremely important. Thus, the spread of the infection to other parts of the body can be controlled. This reduces further complications.
The National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has provided guidelines on how to clean animal bite wounds.
- Saliva on the injured area due to animal bite should be cleaned as soon as possible.
- Wash the affected area with soap and water for 15 minutes.
- Apply antiseptic after washing the wound.
- If soap or antiviral agents (alcohol, providone iodine) are not available, wash the wound with water.
- A tetanus injection should be taken to prevent infection in the wound.
- A dog bite patient should be given psychological support.
- Get medical help immediately by going to a doctor or hospital.
5.Do not apply this on animal bite wounds
- Do not touch the wound with bare hands, clean hands before touching.
- Do not apply substances like clay, oil, lemon, chalk, chili powder on the wound.
- Do not bandage the wound.
6.When to go to the doctor?
- Prompt medical treatment after a dog or animal bite can save a patient’s life.
- After a dog or cat bite, wash the injured area immediately with soap and water and go to the hospital. Everyone should remember, controlling rabies is the only option.
- Due to lack of awareness among people about rabies disease and medical treatment, people approach doctors late for treatment. In some cases, the patient dies before being admitted to the hospital for treatment.
- If the animal has scratched the body, the patient is immediately given a rabies vaccine. However, if there is bleeding from the wound or contact with animal saliva, rabies immunoglobulin is given with the vaccine.
7.Misconceptions about rabies
- Apart from the lack of public awareness about rabies, there are also many misconceptions.
- Some misconceptions include, “The treatment of rabies involves 14 consecutive days of abdominal injections or applying turmeric, hydrogen-peroxide, herbs, ghee to dog bite wounds to control the spread of infection.”
8.Who is given the rabies vaccine?
- Anti-rabies vaccine is administered to domestic animals like dogs and cats. It is also given as a preventive measure to veterinary officers, doctors, staff and animal handlers.
- There is absolutely no shortage of anti-rabies vaccine. Anti-rabies vaccine is available in every primary health center in rural areas.
9.What is done to animals with rabies?
- There are many cases of rabies infection in dogs. If an animal is suspected of having rabies, they are monitored. These animals are kept separately in isolation wards of government hospitals or social organizations working for animals.
- Regular vaccination of animals is important to prevent rabies. Animals are given two doses of anti-rabies vaccine in the first year. A dose is given every year thereafter.