Rabies | Cause, symptoms, treatments and prevention

Rabies

Rabies is a viral illness spread via the saliva of an infected animal. This occurs usually through biting a human or another animal. Transmission can also occur through saliva touching an open wound or touching mucous membranes. In the United States, between 1 and 3 people contract rabies each year. From 2008 to 2017, the U.S. saw 23 human cases, eight of which were contracted outside the country. Advances in medicine, awareness, and vaccination programs reduces the incidence of rabies since the 1970s. However, globally, it remains a problem, and tens of thousands of deaths result from rabies each year, mostly in rural areas of Southeast Asia and Africa. Over 95 percent of infections are caused by dogs.

What are the Symptoms of rabies?

The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to the flu and may last for days. Later signs and symptoms may include:

•  Fever
•  Headache
•  Nausea
•  Vomiting
• Agitation
•  Anxiety
•  Confusion
•  Hyperactivity
•  Difficulty swallowing
• Excessive salivation
•  Fear of water (hydrophobia) because of the difficulty in swallowing
•  Hallucinations
• Insomnia
• Partial paralysis
• Abnormal behavior
• Paranoia
• Terror

What is the Cause of rabies disease?

Rabies is caused by the rabies virus. The virus infects the brain and ultimately leads to death. After being bitten by a rabid animal, the virus deposits in the muscle and subcutaneous tissue. For most of the incubation period (which is usually one to three months), the virus stays close to the exposure site. The virus then travels via peripheral nerves to the brain and from there, again via peripheral nerves, to nearly all parts of the body.

Any mammal can spread rabies. In the United States, it’s most often transmitted via the saliva of bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and skunks. In the developing world, stray dogs are the most likely animal to transmit rabies. The virus found in cows, cats, ferrets, and horses. The local health department will usually have information on which animals in the area finds to carry this virus.

Transmission

Rabies is most common in countries where stray dogs are present in large numbers, especially in Asia and Africa. It is passed on through saliva. It can develop if a person receives a bite from an infected animal, or if saliva from an infected animal gets into an open wound or through a mucous membrane, such as the eyes or mouth. It cannot pass through unbroken skin.

In the U.S., raccoons, coyotes, bats, skunks, and foxes are the animals most likely to spread the virus. Bats carrying rabies have been found in all 48 states that border with each other. Any mammal can harbor and transmit the virus, but smaller mammals, such as rodents, rarely become infected or transmit rabies. Rabbits are unlikely to spread rabies.

What are the Risk factors of this disease?

Factors that can increase your risk of rabies include:

·         Traveling or living in developing countries where this disease is more common, including countries in Africa and Southeast Asia.

·         Activities that are likely to put you in contact with wild animals that may have rabies, such as exploring caves where bats live or camping without taking precautions to keep wild animals away from your campsite.

·         Working in a laboratory with the rabies virus.

·         Wounds to the head or neck, which may help this virus travel to your brain more quickly.

Diagnosis of rabies

At the time of a bite, there is usually no way to tell for sure whether an animal is rabid, or whether it passes on an infection. Lab tests may show antibodies, but these may not appear until later in the development of the disease. The virus may be isolated from saliva or through a skin biopsy. However, by the time a diagnosis is confirmed, it may be too late to take action. For this reason, the patient will normally start a course of prophylactic treatment at once, without waiting for a confirmed diagnosis. If a person develops symptoms of viral encephalitis following an animal bite, they should treats as if they may have rabies.

What is the treatment of that disease?

If an animal bites or scratches a person that may have rabies, or if the animal licks an open wound, the individual should immediately wash any bites and scratches for 15 minutes with soapy water, povidoneiodine, or detergent. This might minimize the number of viral particles.

Then they must seek medical help at once.

After exposure and before symptoms begin, a series of shots can prevent the virus from thriving. This is usually effective.

How to prevent rabies disease?

To reduce your risk of coming in contact with rabid animals:

Vaccinate your pets

Cats, dogs and ferrets can vaccinate against rabies. Ask your veterinarian how often your pets should vaccinate.

Keep your pets confined

Inside your pets kept and supervise them when outside. This will help your pets kept from coming in contact with wild animals.

Protect small pets from predators

Keep rabbits and other small pets, such as guinea pigs, inside or in protected cages so that they are safe from wild animals. These small pets can’t vaccinate against rabies.

Report stray animals to local authorities

Call your local animal control officials or other local law enforcement to report stray dogs and cats.

Don’t approach wild animals

Wild animals with rabies may seem unafraid of people. It’s not normal for a wild animal to be friendly with people, so stay away from any animal that seems unafraid.

Keep bats out of your home

Seal any cracks and gaps where bats can enter your home. If you know you have bats in your home, work with a local expert to find ways to keep out.

Consider the rabies vaccine if you’re traveling

If you’re traveling to a country where rabies is common and you’ll be there for an extended period of time, ask your doctor whether you should receive it’s vaccine.