You may have heard that dog bites can cause rabies, but do you know what rabies is? Why does it make people afraid of water and wind? How to prevent and treat rabies? This article will introduce you to the basic knowledge about rabies, help you understand this terrible infectious disease, and provide some practical advice.
Rabies is a zoonotic infectious neurological disease caused by the rabies virus, mainly transmitted to humans through animal bites or scratches. Approximately 59000 people die from rabies worldwide each year, with 40% of them being children under the age of 15, mainly in Asia and Africa. In China, among the legally reported infectious diseases, the mortality rate of rabies has remained high, posing a serious threat to the lives and health of the people.
In China, the vast majority of human infections are caused by bites or scratches from domestic or stray animals (mainly dogs) carrying the virus. When saliva from infected animals enters human skin or mucous membranes (such as eyes, mouth, or nose), transmission may occur. In addition to domesticated or stray animals, wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks, jackals, civets, etc. may also carry and spread the virus. Therefore, contact with unknown animals, especially those with abnormal behavior or aggression, should be avoided.
When an infected animal bites or scratches a human, the toxin enters the wound with saliva and replicates in the local tissue. Then, the toxin will spread along nerve fibers towards the central nervous system (i.e. brain and spinal cord), causing serious damage there. Finally, the toxin will spread again from the central nervous system to other organs and body fluids, including salivary glands, eyes, heart, kidneys, etc.
The time between being bitten and the appearance of clinical symptoms is called the incubation period, which is usually 2-3 months, but can also be as long as one year or more. This depends on various factors, such as the type, quantity, location, and severity of the toxin. The shorter the incubation period, the worse the prognosis. Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is almost 100% fatal, and there is currently no effective treatment method.
The initial symptoms of rabies are usually non-specific, such as fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, etc. As the virus spreads to the central nervous system, more severe neurological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, hallucinations, seizures, etc. may occur. At this time, patients may also experience abnormal or unexplained tremors, stabbing pain, or burning sensation at the wound site.
The most typical late stage symptom is hydrophobia, which refers to the fear and aversion towards water or fluids. When patients try to drink water or see water, they may experience rigid contractions and severe spasms of the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles, resulting in inability to swallow and accompanied by extreme fear and anxiety. This reaction may also be caused by other stimuli such as wind, sound, light, etc., known as aerophobia. These reactions are due to the damage caused by the toxin to neurons in the brainstem that control respiration and swallowing function.
In addition to fear of water and gas, patients may also exhibit symptoms such as hyperactivity, behavioral agitation, aggression, or violent tendencies, which are called manic or agitated rabies. Another form is the numbing or numbing type of rabies, characterized by gradual muscle paralysis starting from the wound site and then spreading throughout the body, leading to respiratory failure and death. Numbness type accounts for about 20% of human infections, and its clinical process is relatively slow and mild, but it is rarely cured.
Prevention is the most effective method for preventing and treating rabies. Here are some preventive measures:
1. If you have pets (such as dogs, cats, etc.), please regularly vaccinate them against rabies and wear identification cards or collars according to regulations. Do not let them go out or come into contact with unfamiliar animals at will.
If you don't have a pet, please don't feed or pet unfamiliar animals, especially stray or wild animals. If abnormal or aggressive behavior is found in animals, please stay away from them and report to the local animal disease prevention and control center or disease control department in a timely manner.
3. If you need to travel or work in areas with high epidemic rates, please consult a doctor in advance and get vaccinated against rabies as needed. Vaccines generally require completing a three dose immunization program at least one month before travel.
If you are unfortunately bitten or scratched by a suspicious animal, please immediately take the following emergency measures: thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, and try to remove the virus as much as possible. If conditions permit, iodine or alcohol can be used for disinfection. Seek professional assistance from the nearest hospital or disease control institution as soon as possible, without delay or self handling. The doctor will administer rabies immunoglobulin and vaccine to you based on the situation. This can help the immune system resist viruses and prevent disease. Please pay attention to wound care during treatment to avoid infection or irritation. Cooperate with the doctor's inquiry, provide information on animal species, characteristics, etc., to determine the risk of infection and take corresponding measures. If any abnormalities occur after treatment, please contact a doctor immediately and inform them of the treatment and contact history. Try to track the whereabouts and status of the bitten animal as much as possible to determine if it carries the virus.
If clinical symptoms have appeared, please seek medical attention immediately. Although there is currently no specific medication to cure the condition, doctors can provide supportive treatment to alleviate symptoms and maintain vital signs such as breathing and circulation. Simultaneously receiving psychological support, maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude, and communicating well with family and friends.
Rabies is a terrible and deadly infectious disease, but it can also be prevented and controlled. We should enhance our understanding and prevention awareness of this disease, and take effective preventive measures, such as vaccinating pets against rabies, avoiding contact with unknown animals, and timely administering preventive or post exposure vaccinations. If unfortunately bitten or scratched, please immediately seek proper emergency treatment and seek professional medical attention at the hospital as soon as possible. If clinical symptoms appear, please do not give up hope and seek help from a professional hospital as soon as possible.