- An infection that affects the central
nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and cranial nerves) of
animals and humans
- Symptoms may develop 30-50 days
after the bite.
- Often there is only pain and local
swelling at the bite site.
- Numbness or tingling at the bite
- Swallowing difficulty
- Anxiety and
- Declining mental function
- Sore throat
- Muscle stiffness
- Excessive salivation (not real
foaming at the mouth, but increased saliva)
- Itching at the site of the bite
- Muscle Cramps
- Tingling and numbness of the skin
in other parts of the body
- Paralysis of muscles including
respiratory muscles (breathing)
- In severe cases:
- Hydrophobia -- fear of water
because liquids can cause spasm in the throat and make
- Aerophobia -- in some, air can
also trigger spasm in the respiratory (breathing) muscles
- Excitement and agitation followed
by periods of calm
- Gasping for air
- Convulsions, Seizures, Coma, and death
- Death occurs due to heart or
- Only 7 people worldwide have been known to survive untreated Rabies (i.e., did not receive the series vaccination for Rabies after being
bitten or exposed to a rabid
- Virus -- RNA virus is transmitted via the saliva of the infected animal.
- The virus in the saliva enters a
wound (after a bite) or skin cut, and travels via the nerves
to the central nervous system, where it can multiply in the
gray matter of the brain. Then the virus spreads out
along certain nerves to infect many
- The time between the bite and the
onset of symptoms (incubation period) may range from days to
years, but in most cases it is between 3-12
- History of the bite, occupation, illnesses, travels, allergies, surgeries, habits, and vaccination history of the patient (i.e., Rabies, Tetanus, etc.) and
his pets are helpful.
- Medical exam will reveal:
- Bite mark
- The virus needs to be found in
the saliva or brain tissues, including the spinal fluid
- Fluorescent antibody (protein associated with Rabies) test will
be positive in the infected animal.
- The rabid animal should be captured if possible,
terminated, and tested for the
- Animal bite from wild or
- All warm-blooded animals (Mammals)
can carry the virus.
- Bats (most common in the US), dogs,
cats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks
- Laboratory workers
- Animal handlers
- Travel to areas with high rate of Rabies in
- Clean the wound
- Support the blood pressure,
breathing, and heart if affected
- Immunoglobulins (HRIG) are protective Proteins that are
given right away to fight the infection.
- The patient receives a vaccine to
develop his or her own protective immunoglobulins down the
road. Vaccines can be any of the following (HDCV, RVA, and
- Report to the doctor if you have
allergies, especially to eggs.
- In those who have been vaccinated
prior to exposure, two booster shots (to provide more
protection) of the vaccine are recommended.
- Tetanus vaccine, if
not updated, is often
Get to your doctor as soon as you can. If there is difficulty breathing, Seizures, confusion, or Coma -- call 911.
- Vaccinate your pets -- dogs need Rabies vaccinations every 2
years, especially in areas with wild animals.
- Avoid contact with wild animals
(e. g., feeding, petting, etc.).
- If bitten, wash the site with soap and water and contact your physician and local health department immediately. Delay in treatment can result in death. Treatment after the bite from an animal with Rabies is with the Rabies vaccination series,
which must begin soon after the rabid bite.
- Vector control and contact your
- If traveling to an area known for Rabies, you must receive a
vaccine (HDCV, RVA, and PCEC) before leaving. Vaccination is
important for high-risk
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