7 Fascinating Facts About Rabies

7 Fascinating Facts About Rabies

 

What animals are prone to rabies?

Rabies is a virus that is most commonly found in dogs, followed by cats, horses, monkeys, livestock such as cows and buffaloes, rodents, squirrels, and chipmunks. Although the virus has been reported in saliva, it is rare.

1) What animals are prone to rabies?

          The most common animals to be infected with rabies are dogs, followed by cats, horses, monkeys, livestock such as cows and buffaloes, rodents, squirrels, and chipmunks. Although the virus has been found in saliva, it is rare.

 

2) If bitten by an animal, what is the chance of getting rabies?

• If the bitten animal is not infected with rabies, then there will be no chance of contracting the disease.
• If you cannot ascertain if the animal has rabies or not, it must be assumed that the animal is infected.
• Generally speaking, the chance of a person getting rabies if they are bitten by an animal is around 35%, although this may vary depending on the location of the bite.
• If the bite is on the leg, the chance is about 21%.
• If the bite is on the face, the chance is around 88%.
• Additionally, if the wound is superficial, abrasive, or multiple and deep, the chance of contracting rabies may be less.

 

3) How is rabies transmitted to humans?

Rabies is usually transmitted to humans through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite. In rare cases, infection can occur through contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth, or through broken skin. Other possible modes of transmission include breathing in aerosolized viruses, corneal and organ transplantation, and ingestion.

 

4) How long do symptoms take to appear after being bitten by a rabid animal?

The incubation period for rabies, or the time between being bitten by an infected animal and the onset of symptoms, can vary greatly, from 4 days to 4 years. Most people (about 70%) will develop the disease within 3 months, and nearly all people (96%) will develop it within 1 year of the bite.

 

5) What are the symptoms of an infected dog?

The primary symptoms of a sick dog include coughing, increased respiratory rate, decreased appetite, lethargy, fever, and difficulty breathing. Additionally, the virus can be spread through the dog's saliva from 3 days prior to the onset of symptoms to 2 days after the onset of symptoms and can remain in the saliva until the dog's death.

 

The time between infection and the onset of symptoms is typically between 3 to 8 weeks, however it can take anything from 10 days to 6 months.

 

The symptoms of the illness can be categorized into two groups:

Ferocious, which is the more prevalent form, and

Permeable, which does not show any obvious signs.

 

Symptoms of the disease can be divided into three stages.

1. During the first stage, the affected dog's behavior may change from being gentle and loving to lethargic, and it will eat and drink less. This stage typically lasts for 2-3 days before progressing to the second stage.
2. The second stage is a neurological symptom and is characterized by restlessness, biting, drooling, and a tongue that hangs out. Muscle weakness in the limbs may occur, causing the dog to have difficulty balancing and falling over without being able to get up. This stage can last for 1-7 days before progressing to the third and final stage.
3. The third stage is characterized by paralysis of the body, which can lead to death within 24 hours of symptom onset. Most cases do not last longer than 10 days, with death usually occurring within 4-6 days. In some cases, paralysis can last up to 2-4 days and is not seen in dogs with rabies. Fear of water may also occur during this stage.

6) What are the symptoms of rabies in humans?

This can be divided into two types: the first type is characterized by restlessness and aggression, caused by a high number of viruses in the brain and the second type is paralytic, caused by an increasing number of viruses in the spinal cord.

Symptoms in humans can be divided into 3 phases.

1. The main symptom that is common in Thai people is itching around the bite area. Other symptoms may include numbness and pain around the bitten area, as well as fever, fatigue and abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Mood changes, anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia may also occur.

 

2. The stage of neurological symptoms can be subdivided into hydrophobia, fear of the wind, nervousness, hallucinatory mania, and paralysis. Symptoms of hydrophobia include trembling, hiccups, and spasms in the neck muscles when trying to drink, as well as pain and difficulty swallowing both hard and liquid foods. Fear of the wind may cause the patient to startle when blown by the wind. Nervousness may cause the patient to be afraid of touch and light. Hallucinatory mania may cause the patient to become rampant and ferocious. Finally, paralysis may occur.

 

3. In the last stage, the patient enters into a coma and becomes unconscious. In untreated patients, death typically occurs within 7 days after the onset of symptoms and within 3 days after the onset of neurological symptoms.

 

7) What should you do if you were scratched or bitten by a dog?

1. When being scratched or bitten by a dog, you should immediately wash the wound with soap and water several times in order to reach the depth of the wound. If soap is not available, detergent can be used instead.
2. Afterwards, the wound should be cleaned with a disinfectant such as 70% alcohol.
3. If the wound is bleeding, it should be allowed to bleed for some time to flush out any saliva that may contain the virus.
4. If the animal can be observed, it should be detained and monitored for at least 10 days.
5. In the event of the animal's death, it should also be sent for infection detection.
6. It is important to seek medical attention to receive rabies and tetanus vaccinations as soon as possible, regardless of whether the symptoms of the bite can be monitored or not. This is especially critical for animals that have no owner or have bitten and run away, and they should be taken to the hospital without delay. It is not necessary to wait for the animal to have symptoms first, as the incubation period in both humans and animals is unpredictable. People may experience symptoms before animals.
7. Having knowledge of the rabies vaccination history of an animal, as well as if the owner has never been out of the house or never been bitten by anyone, may reduce the chances of the animal contracting the disease. However, this is not a guarantee against infection, so it is still important to adhere to the steps outlined in points 1-6.
8. In cases of deep lacerations, it is preferable to clean the wound without stitching, as this can increase the risk of infection. Especially if the wound is stitched.

By Dr. Thanet Puapornpong, Surgeon at Vibhavadi Hospital