Dealing with Rabies

I was reading in The New Times, that the government has initiated a drive to vaccinate all pet dogs and cats against rabies. This is indeed commendable because once vaccinated, the animals also get protected from rabies and risk of transmission of disease to other animals and people is also reduced. Rabies is one of the potentially life threatening disease transmitted from animals to people. It is a disease commonly associated with or caused by dog bite. But it can be caused by bite of other animals also who harbor the virus. In fact one animal biting the other can transmit the virus and if man is bitten by a rabid animal he also develops rabies. The causative agent, rabies virus is a bullet shaped single stranded RNA virus. It is more dangerous than a bullet. Because once the illness has started there is no cure and death is certain even in the best centers of the world. Vaccination is only preventive. Rabies occurs all over the world. Virus is neurotropic, i.e., it has affinity for the nervous system. The average incubation period (period between entry of virus and development of disease) is 7 days to 12 months. But sometimes the virus can lie dormant in the brain tissue for as long as 10 years, rabies manifesting suddenly one fine day. This makes the disease more dangerous. Because after being bitten by a dog if nothing happens over few months, the affected person and his family become complacent that all is well. By the time the patient becomes ill and dies, he would have infected many other people who would have come in contact with his saliva entering through any breach in the skin. Initially one may have vague symptoms like fever, headache, muscle pains, vomiting, e.t.c. After developing rabies a person may become totally apathetic and lethargic (dumb rabies) or agitated, running amuck, biting people (wild rabies). There may be paralysis, seizures and even coma, due to brain damage. Hydrophobia i.e. fear of water which is initiated on swallowing water or any liquid is the most characteristic feature of rabies. Later on as damage to the brain extends in severity, death occurs. Thus the poor sufferer virtually dies a dog’s death. The average survival time after being bitten is about 4 to 20 days. The higher the bite in the body more is the risk of rabies. For example a person being bitten on the face or neck carries a higher risk of developing rabies as compared to a bite on the hands and minimal on the legs. The risk is not only a bite. A friendly lick by a sick dog causing his saliva to enter any cut or abrasion in the skin is also potentially dangerous. Once a person is bitten by a dog or any other potentially rabid animal, affected part should immediately be flushed thoroughly with soap and water. Earlier it used to be said that the biting dog should be watched for a week and if it survives the risk of developing rabies is less. But this theory is obsolete now. Any bite carries a potential risk of developing rabies; hence even if it is a pet dog biting, one should get vaccinated immediately. After the bite anti -rabies vaccination should be taken immediately if possible and latest within 48 to 72 hours. Once the virus has entered the body and fixed itself, it is ineffective. Vaccination taken once provides absolute protection for six months and later it declines to be as effective. Therefore, if one gets bitten by a dog anytime again in the next few months it is essential to take the vaccine again. Those handling a person suffering from rabies, should wear protective gloves while handling the patient and wash hands thoroughly after. Clothes and other material carrying his or her saliva should be burnt. All this is necessary to avoid getting infected as any contact with the infected saliva carries a risk of the rabies virus entering the body of the care taker. Because of these risks in all hospitals of the world, cases of rabies are put in strict isolation. One thing more, if one keeps a dog, ensure that it is vaccinated against rabies every six months and not allowed to move out freely and mix with other street animals. Secondly it should be well cared for physically. Because an animal who feels any discomfort can be furious and go about biting other animals or men thus carrying a risk of acquiring and transmitting rabies. rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk