Rabies

Description

Rabies is a fatal viral disease passed to humans from infected animals. Patients contract the virus by being bitten by an infected animal since the virus is present in the saliva. Exposure of an open wound or mucous membrane to infected saliva or bat guano can also rarely cause rabies. The virus infects the brain and once symptoms appear is almost always fatal which is why prevention and immunization of exposed patients is so important. The disease can be contracted from pets or wild animals although the most common source is wild animals. Stray dogs and cats in developing countries are also a significant cause of the disease. The most common pets that can transmit rabies are: cats, dogs, cows, rabbits, ferrets, horses and goats. The most common wild animals are: bats, beavers, woodchucks, coyotes, skunks, monkeys, racoons and foxes.

Symptoms

Symptoms are usually not present until just before death. They include fever, headache, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, problems swallowing, bizarre phobias, difficulty sleeping, drooling.

Tests

A history and physical exam will be done. The treatment to prevent rabies is begun on all patients with bites from animals that could have rabies. There are blood tests to determine if someone has contracted rabies.

Treatment

The disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Every patient with a bite from an animal suspected of having rabies must be treated to prevent the disease. The healthcare provider will clean the bite then inject rabies immune globulin around the wound and give another shot in the arm or leg. The patient should also receive vaccination against rabies (Human Diploid Cell Vaccine) and will need a series beginning on the first day of treatment then followed up on days 3, 7 and 14 for a total of four doses.

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