Rabies

Rabies

If bitten by a stray animal, what should be properly done?

1. You must wash immediately the wound caused by the bite with soap and clean water. If the are antiseptics available at the moment, you must apply the medicine in the wounded area.
2. After washing the wound, you bring the bitten patient to a physician, authorized medical representative.
3. or Animal Bite Center nearest the in area for the proper consultation and immediate immunization. Antibiotics and Anti-tetanus vaccines must be given as soon as possible especially when advised by the attending doctor.
4. You must also consult and ask for the opinion of the veterinarian for the needed animal management of the biting dog.

What is the needed post-exposure treatment Rabies?

The post-exposure treatment is required to be given to persons who were bitten or has been exposed to rabid animals. First, the wound must be given the needed first aid and treatment. After the wound treatment an active vaccination or immunization must be given and then a passive immunization shall be administered on rabies immunoglobin.

Active and passive immunization defined

Active immunization or vaccination

Active immunization or vaccination is being induced to the human body in order to develop the required antibodies against rabies. The effect of this vaccine will usually last for one (1) up to three (3) years upon introduction.

Passive immunization or vaccination

Passive immunization or vaccination on the other hand is being introduced to the person with Category III exposure in order develop antibodies and protection against rabies. The Category III exposed people are those with bite in the head and neck, with single but deep bite or multiple bites, the mucous membranes had been contaminated, licks of the eyes, lips and mouth. This immunization must be immediately administered to the bitten person within the first seven days of his/her active vaccination. However, please note that the immunoglobulin effect in the body is only short or within a short period of time.

Is Rabies curable?

No, it so very unfortunate that rabies is not curable. The victim of the rabies will dies within the first day up to the third day of the manifestation of the signs of brain involvement.

Is Rabies preventable?

Yes rabies can be prevented by way of proper and right time administration of vaccine and immunoglobin to the victim of an animal bite. But before taking into the step of vaccination and immunization, you must always remember you must clean immediate the wound from animal bite by washing with soap and water as the first important preventive measure of rabies.

What is “tandok” and is it an effective preventive measure for Rabies?

No, “tandok” is not an effective prevention against rabies. The “Tandok” is an old belief of our folklores as rabies preventive measure by way of placing the horn of a deer over the wound caused by an animal bite. Our folks believe that the deer horn will suck the rabies virus out the wound. As per the research showed that “tandok” has no records that it has treated anyone and the victims died from rabies and / tetanus brought bout by the animal bites.

Is vinegar and rubbing of garlic at the wound bite effective and useful ways of preventing Rabies?

No, vinegar and garlic are not useful in preventing rabies. . They should be applied on the bite wound because these can further aggravate by wound condition for the introduction of more dirt to the wound and lead to swelling and irritation. To reduce rabies infection simply wash the bite wound with soap and water promptly to prevent the rapid penetration and spread of the virus in the body.

If a dog bites you, do you need to kill the dog immediately?

No, you should not kill the dog immediately especially if the dog is apparently healthy. Instead, all you have to do is to put the dog a leash or inside the cage so that you can observe its condition within 14 days.

How’s the observation period differs from incubation period?

The “observation period” by the obvious literal meaning is the observation period where in this span of time the dog or the cat that has bitten a victim is being observed if it will show any signs or symptoms that it has Rabies. The allotted days for this period of time is usually 14 days starting from the day the animal has bitten the victimized person. According to the studies made, the dog or the cat that has bitten the victim will die within the 14 days period if it is rabid. It has not transmitted the rabies virus or the animal is not rabid if the dog or the cat that has bitten the person is still alive after the observation period of 14 days.

If a rabid person bite another person, does he/she needs to be given anti-Rabies immunization?

Yes, the Rabies virus can be transmitted if a rabid person bites another person and should be immediately given anti-Rabies immunization.