[Useful Information] Rabies

Rabies is a zoonotic disease of warm-blooded animals is caused by a Rhabdovirus belonging to Lyssavirus. It is a bullet-shaped virus.

-CNS and Salivary glands are the target organs of rabies virus. They travel from axons to the Brain.

Paanu ito nakukuha?

-Bites and licks on abrasions or intact mucus membrane by infected animals. Saliva is the vehicle of transmission. Bites,Licks,corneal graft,salivary aerosol can cause transmission.

Saan ito nakukuha?

-Worldwide- Dogs,cats,canines,cattles, even Humans. Skunks,raccoons,vampire bats, cave dwelling bats in North and Latin America.
Clinical Features-

Not all people bitten by a rabid animal develop disease, but once it manifests it is almost always fatal.

♦Fever
♦Parasthesia at the bitten site.
♦Anxiety
♦Hydrophobia-50%, Photophobia, Aerophobia
♦Delusion and Hallucinations
♦Spitting, Biting, Mania
♦Neurological abnormalities- descending paralysis
♦Hyperpyrexia
♦Death within a week.

---Treatment---♦
Only symptomatic. Once the disease has started death is almost inevitable.

♦Patient should be kept in quite, dark room avoiding any stimuli.

♦Respiratory and Cardiovascular support may be necessary.

♦Nutritional Support.

♦Drugs- Morphine,Diazepam, Cholorpromazine.

♦All patient should receive post-exposure prophylaxis.

♦Tetanus toxoids and Antibiotics.

---Care of wound after Bite by Animal---
♦Immediately wash the wound with soap water for 5 minutes.
♦Adequate cleansing of the wound.
♦Virucidal agents- Alcohol, Tincture Iodine,Povidine Iodine can be used for cleaning.
♦Do not suture the wound immediately, remove any necrotic debris if present.
♦Tetanus toxoid.
♦Watch for the symptoms in animal if traceable.
♦Go for post-exposure Prophylaxis.