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Rabies
Rabies
What is rabies?
Rabies is a serious illness caused by a virus that infects the nervous system. Rabies produces a characteristic rapidly progressive disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord nerves). Rabies is generally fatal if untreated.
Early warning signs of rabies include anxiety, difficulty swallowing, convulsions, and, in some patients, paralysis.
What animals carry rabies?
In the United States, domesticated dogs and cats are not primary carriers of the rabies virus. Rather, raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, and ferrets are more likely to harbor the disease and directly infect humans. When domesticated pets are infected, there may be a history of previous interaction with these wild animals.
How does a person get rabies?
The rabies virus is present in the saliva of infected animals and is introduced to humans by bites, scratches, or licking of open wounds.
In studies of rabies acquired from bats, direct contact may not be necessary since documented cases of human rabies has been established after exposure to bat-infested caves. An airborne mechanism of transfer of the rabies virus has been hypothesized in such cases.
How long does rabies take to develop?
In humans, the incubation period between exposure to the virus and development of clinical symptoms averages 4-6 weeks.
How is rabies confirmed?
The "gold standard" test for the diagnosis of rabies involves demonstration of the rabies virus in the brain of the affected animal.
Is treatment for rabies urgent?
Yes! Since only seven patients are known to have survived once the symptoms of rabies developed, immediate treatment of all individuals suspected of having been exposed to rabies is mandatory.
What is the local treatment for rabies?
Initial care for a rabies-exposed person includes vigorous washing of wounds with soap and water. Consideration of the patient's tetanus status should be also done at this time.
What about immunization for rabies?
After local care is completed, both passive immunization (with rabies immune globulin-RIG) and active immunization (with human diploid cell vaccine-HDCV) must be considered. Specialized treatment protocols published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) exist to help management decision making in such cases. Side effects of HDCV occur in approximately 25% of recipients and include pain, local swelling, headache, nausea, muscle aches, and dizziness Selected groups of individuals whose occupation (e.g., veterinarian, animal handlers, etc.) or avocation (e.g. cave explorers) are candidates for consideration of pre-exposure vaccination against rabies. Immunization of domesticated dogs and cats is mandatory and has been paramount in the control of rabies in the United States. - Rabies is a deadly disease of the nervous system.
- Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and ferrets harbor rabies.
- Rabid animals infect humans directly and through pets.
- Anyone possibly exposed to rabies should be treated urgently.
- Treatment for rabies includes local wound cleansing and immunizations .
Last updated on 05/15/2008
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