Rabies
What is rabies?
Rabies is a viral infection of certain warm-blooded animals and is caused
by a virus in the Rhabdoviridae family. It attacks the nervous system and,
once symptoms develop, it is 100 percent fatal in animals, if left
untreated.
In North America, rabies occurs mainly in skunks, raccoons, foxes, and
bats. In some areas, these wild animals infect domestic cats, dogs, and
livestock. In the United States, cats are more likely than dogs to be
rabid.
Usually, rabies is rare in small rodents such as beavers, chipmunks,
squirrels, rats, mice, or hamsters. Rabies is also rare in rabbits. In the
mid-Atlantic states, where rabies is increasing in raccoons, woodchucks
can also be rabid.
How does rabies occur?
The rabies virus enters the body through a cut or scratch, or through
mucous membranes (such as the lining of the mouth and eyes), and travels
to the central nervous system. Once the infection reaches the brain, the
virus travels into the nerves and multiplies in different organs.
The salivary glands and organs are most important in the spread of
rabies from one animal to another. When an infected animal bites another
animal, the rabies virus is transmitted through the infected animal's
saliva. Scratches by claws of rabid animals are also dangerous because
these animals lick their claws.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
The incubation in humans from the time of exposure to the onset of illness
can range anywhere from five days to more than a year, although the
average incubation period is about two months. The following are the most
common symptoms of rabies. However, each child may experience symptoms
differently. Symptoms may include:
The symptoms of rabies may resemble other conditions or medical
problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
How is rabies diagnosed?
In animals, a test called direct fluorescent antibody test (dFA) is often
used to detect rabies. Test results are usually known within a few hours.
Knowing these results may save a child from undergoing treatment if the
animal is not rabid.
In humans, a number of tests are needed to confirm or rule out rabies,
as no single test can be used to rule out the disease with certainty.
Tests are performed on samples of serum, saliva, spinal fluid, and skin
biopsies taken from the nape of the neck.
Treatment for rabies:
Your child's physician will determine specific treatment for rabies.
Unfortunately, there is no known, effective treatment for rabies once
symptoms of the disease occur. However, there is an effective new vaccine
that provides immunity to rabies when given after an exposure. It may also
be used for protection before an exposure occurs, for persons such as
veterinarians and animal handlers.
How can animal bites and rabies be prevented?Being safe around animals, even your own pets, can help reduce
the risk of animal bites. Some general guidelines for avoiding animal
bites and rabies include the following:
- Keep pets in a fenced yard or on a leash when out in public.
- Select family pets carefully.
- Never leave a young child alone with a pet.
- Have your pets immunized against rabies and all shots kept current.
- Supervise pets so they do not come into contact with wild animals.
Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals.
Teaching your child about animal safety may also help to prevent animal
bites. Some things to remember include the following:
- Do not try to separate fighting animals.
- Avoid any strange or sick animals.
- Leave animals alone when they are eating.
- Do not approach or play with wild animals of any kind.
Reporting the incident to your healthcare provider:
If you or someone you know has been bitten by an animal, remember to
report the following facts to your healthcare provider:
- location of the incident
- type of animal involved (domestic pet or wild animal)
- type of exposure (cut, scratch, licking of open wound)
- part of the body involved
- number of exposures
- whether or not the animal has been immunized against rabies
- whether or not the animal is sick or well - if "sick," what symptoms
were present in the animal
- whether or not the animal is available for testing or quarantine
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