Dog bites can be a big pain for everyone - the victim, the dog owner and the dog! Bites from wild animals can be dangerous, too. In either case, you face the possibility of serious health problems, even death, if you're bitten.
A bite from all sorts of animals may infect you with rabies. Most states require rabies vaccinations for some animals, and the vaccination can prevent the disease and save lives, even after a bite.
Some Basics on Rabies?
Rabies is caused by a virus. The virus infects the victim's nervous system. Over time and left untreated, the victim's spinal cord and brain become severely inflamed or swollen.
How Rabies is Spread
Humans catch rabies from infected animals. The disease is spread when an infected animal's saliva comes into contact with the victim - almost always through a bite or scratch on the victim's body. It's possible, but very rare, to get rabies by having an infected animal's saliva get directly into your eyes, nose or mouth.
Symptoms of Rabies
The early symptoms of rabies include fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort. Usually the victim also feels a tingling or burning sensation at the wound site.
Left untreated, more serious symptoms appear, such as sleeplessness, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, hallucinations and difficulty swallowing. Death usually occurs within days after these serious symptoms appear.
It can take anywhere from one week to one year before you may show any symptoms.
Animals To Be Wary Of
In the US, humans rarely catch rabies from domestic pets like cats and dogs, mainly because of vaccination laws and requirements. Most cases of rabies in the US are caused by bites from infected bats, racoons, skunks and other wild animals.
Outside the US, dogs are the number one source of rabies.
Vaccine Prevents & Stops Illness, Deaths
Like other immunizations and vaccinations, the rabies vaccine can prevent the spread of the disease. Unlike other vaccines, however, it can also stop the fatal symptoms rabies from developing after you've been bitten by an infected animal.
The vaccine itself involves a series of shots, given in your shoulder. How many shots are needed and when they're given depends on when you get the vaccine.
Protection for You
Health officials recommend that you get a rabies vaccination as a preventative measure if you:
- Work with rabies in laboratory settings
- Are an animal control or wildlife officer or a veterinarian
- Plan on traveling to a country where rabies is widespread
This vaccination involves a series of three shots given over a 21- or 28- day period. After the first shot, you'll get a shot on day 7 and then one on either day 21 or 28.
After the Bite. It's absolutely critical that you act quickly once you've been bitten. Because the initial symptoms of rabies are common with many illnesses, people tend to ignore them and often die from rabies infections. You can stop rabies from developing, if, immediately after the bite, you:
- Thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water
- See your doctor or go to a hospital where someone can determine if the vaccine is necessary
- Contact your local police or health department so proper measures are taken to locate and isolate the animal for rabies testing
This vaccination involves a series of six shots.over a 14-day period. The first shot should come as soon as possible after the bite or exposure. You'll get the other shots 3, 7 and 14 days after the first shot.
Next: Vaccine for Animals