Rabies

Rabies is a deadly disease of animals caused by a virus which is transmissible to human beings through the bites of infected animals, through contact of the saliva with an opening or wound in the skin, causing acute inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord. It can also be transmitted through aerosol transmission, faulty vaccines, and tissue and organ transplants.

 

Call your doctor, local public health department, or hospital's emergency department immediately after any exposure to a rabid animal. Treatment may involve administration of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and injection of the first in a series of rabies vaccines, along with treatment for serious bites wounds and a tetanus booster. You can do the following yourself:

·   Wash the wound immediately with soap, water, and an antiseptic iodine solution.
·   Get the owner's name, address, and phone number if the animal is a pet so that the animal can be monitored.
·   Contact the local animal-control authorities for any wild animals or stray dogs or cats so they can attempt to catch the animal.
·   don’t attempt to capture or subdue an animal yourself.

 

FACT

Even the smallest bite can transmit rabies, so all bites or scratches by a rabid animal call for administration of a rabies shot. Call your medical care provider even if you are not sure, in order to be examined and evaluated for possible treatment.

R. Y. MANABAT, R.N.