CAN RABIES BE PREVENTED? EXPERTS SAY YES, BUT NOT AFTER SYMPTOMS BEGIN TO SHOW UP
Rabies is a dangerous virus that spreads to humans through bites and scratches and causes brain inflammation.
The rabies vaccines and other medications treat infections and can be fatal without treatment. According to experts, the condition is only treatable if a person who has had exposure to rabies seeks immediate medical attention.
“Rabies unfortunately cannot be treated once the patient starts showing symptoms. However, it can be prevented by taking prompt action after an unprovoked dog bite. Immediate presentation to a health center for cleaning of the wound and administration of the Rabies vaccine significantly reduces the chances of developing the disease in the future,” Dr. Devashish Desai, Consultant of Infectious Diseases at Ruby Hall Clinic told Times now.
Related News |According to the World Health Organisation, every year it causes tens of thousands of deaths yearly, mainly in Asia and Africa, 40 per cent of which are children under 15 years of age. Dogs are the main source of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99 per cent of all rabies transmissions to humans.
How to go about anti-rabies vaccination?
Dr. Desai says the anti-rabies vaccination consists of a 4-5 injection course, for which the patient would require local infiltration with anti-rabies antibodies. Related News |"Some people are at increased risk of exposure and bites, such as veterinarians and animal handlers. They are advised to take a pre-exposure course (3 doses) of the Rabies vaccine to reduce this occupational risk,” he said.
The right time to get rabies treatment
The best time to get rabies treatment done is immediately after being bitten by a potentially rabid animal."Once symptoms of rabies appear, the disease is almost always fatal, so prompt action is crucial. Seeking medical attention without delay for wound cleaning and administration of the rabies vaccine significantly reduces the risk of developing the disease,” Dr. Desai added.
What is the first-line treatment to follow?
Once you are bitten by a dog, you must:- Immediately clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes
- After cleansing, it is imperative to seek medical attention promptly for evaluation and treatment
Signs and symptoms of rabies
According to experts, usually, there are no symptoms of rabies for several weeks after it enters your body. However, when rabies makes it to your central nervous system, you may experience flu-like symptoms. In the final stages, it causes neurological issues. A few signs include:- Fever
- Tiredness
- Bite wound burning, itching, tingling, pain or numbness
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Agitation and aggression
- Restlessness
- Seizures and hallucinations
- Muscle twitching
- Fever
- Fast breathing
- Excessive salivation
- Facial paralysis
- Fear of water
- Delirium