Rabies is a viral disease of Central Nervous System that spreads through the bite of an infected warm-blooded animals. It is also known as 'Hydrophobia'. Transmission can also occur through saliva touching an open wound or touching mucous membranes.
Facts
1. About 60,000 people die every year of rabies, mostly in Asia and Africa.
2. In the U.S., one to three people die from rabies each year.
3. Animal vaccinations and postexposure prophylaxis protocols have nearly eradicated rabies in the U.S.
4. Every year more than 15 million people worldwide receive postexposure vaccination to prevent rabies.
Causes
✿ Rabies is caused by the rabies virus (lassaviirus Type-1).
✿ The virus infects the brain and ultimately leads to death.
✿ After being bitten by a rabid animal, the virus is deposited in the muscle and subcutaneous tissue.
Mode of Transmission
- Animal bite i.e Dogs, cat, monkeys, cow, goat, sheep, horses.
- Licks (on abraded skin or abraded unabraded mucosa)
- Aerosols (Rabies infected bats)
- Person to person (rare but possible)
- Organ transplantation.
Incubation Period
✔ It depends on the site of the bite, severity of the bite, number of wounds, amount of virus injected.
✔ Commonly 3-8 weeks (minimum 9 days).
Related Article :
- Tetanus ( Lockjaw )
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Swine Influenza (H1N1)
Sign & Symptoms
The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to the flu and may last for days. 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
Diagnosis
1. Clinical sign & symptoms.
1. In humans, rabies is diagnosed by testing saliva, blood samples, spinal fluid, and skin samples. Multiple tests may be necessary.
2. The tests rely on detection of proteins on the surface of the rabies virus, detection of the genetic material of the virus, or demonstration of an antibody (immune) response to the virus.
3. Negri bodies are seen in the hippocampal part the brain of the person during the autospy.
Treatment
If the animal is a pet or farm animal that has no symptoms, the animal can be isolated and observed for 10 days. Wild animals that can be captured can be killed and tested for the virus. If the animal can't be found, it is best to consult with the local health department.
As rabies is a fatal disease, it is often best to start the series of shots until further information is available.
A series of injections is given. The first is a rabies immune globulin that helps to prevent the virus from infecting the individual. Part of this immunization is given near the animal bite.
This is followed by four injections over the next two weeks. These are rabies vaccines to help the body fight the virus.
Preventions
- Register, license and immunize all dogs
- Maintain active surveillance for Rabies in animals
- Observe for 10 days to have bitten a person
- Euthanize immediately non-immunized dogs or cats bitten by known Rabid animals
- Don't approach wild animals.
- Keep bats out of the home, and stay away from areas with bats (caves).
- When traveling, be aware of stray animals.
- Individual at high risk should receive pre-exposure immunization
- Prevention of Rabies after animal bites :
a. Local wound treatment
b. Post-exposure vaccination
References
1. World Health Organization (WHO) : www.who.int/rabies/
2. MedicineNet : http://www.medicinenet.com/rabies_virus
3. MyoClinic : http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rabies
Related Article :
- Tetanus ( Lockjaw )
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Swine Influenza (H1N1)
Facts
1. About 60,000 people die every year of rabies, mostly in Asia and Africa.
2. In the U.S., one to three people die from rabies each year.
3. Animal vaccinations and postexposure prophylaxis protocols have nearly eradicated rabies in the U.S.
4. Every year more than 15 million people worldwide receive postexposure vaccination to prevent rabies.
Causes
✿ Rabies is caused by the rabies virus (lassaviirus Type-1).
✿ The virus infects the brain and ultimately leads to death.
✿ After being bitten by a rabid animal, the virus is deposited in the muscle and subcutaneous tissue.
Mode of Transmission
- Animal bite i.e Dogs, cat, monkeys, cow, goat, sheep, horses.
- Licks (on abraded skin or abraded unabraded mucosa)
- Aerosols (Rabies infected bats)
- Person to person (rare but possible)
- Organ transplantation.
Incubation Period
✔ It depends on the site of the bite, severity of the bite, number of wounds, amount of virus injected.
✔ Commonly 3-8 weeks (minimum 9 days).
Related Article :
- Tetanus ( Lockjaw )
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Swine Influenza (H1N1)
Sign & Symptoms
The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to the flu and may last for days. 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
Diagnosis
1. Clinical sign & symptoms.
1. In humans, rabies is diagnosed by testing saliva, blood samples, spinal fluid, and skin samples. Multiple tests may be necessary.
2. The tests rely on detection of proteins on the surface of the rabies virus, detection of the genetic material of the virus, or demonstration of an antibody (immune) response to the virus.
3. Negri bodies are seen in the hippocampal part the brain of the person during the autospy.
Treatment
If the animal is a pet or farm animal that has no symptoms, the animal can be isolated and observed for 10 days. Wild animals that can be captured can be killed and tested for the virus. If the animal can't be found, it is best to consult with the local health department.
As rabies is a fatal disease, it is often best to start the series of shots until further information is available.
A series of injections is given. The first is a rabies immune globulin that helps to prevent the virus from infecting the individual. Part of this immunization is given near the animal bite.
This is followed by four injections over the next two weeks. These are rabies vaccines to help the body fight the virus.
Preventions
- Register, license and immunize all dogs
- Maintain active surveillance for Rabies in animals
- Observe for 10 days to have bitten a person
- Euthanize immediately non-immunized dogs or cats bitten by known Rabid animals
- Don't approach wild animals.
- Keep bats out of the home, and stay away from areas with bats (caves).
- When traveling, be aware of stray animals.
- Individual at high risk should receive pre-exposure immunization
- Prevention of Rabies after animal bites :
a. Local wound treatment
b. Post-exposure vaccination
References
1. World Health Organization (WHO) : www.who.int/rabies/
2. MedicineNet : http://www.medicinenet.com/rabies_virus
3. MyoClinic : http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rabies
Related Article :
- Tetanus ( Lockjaw )
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Swine Influenza (H1N1)
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