Rabies is one of the most dangerous diseases. It is caused by a virus that passes to a person from a bite of an infected animal. The disease affects the nervous system and is fatal. To prevent the disease, you need to get a vaccination: a rabies injection.
By nature, the rabies virus belongs to the genus Lyssavirus and the family of Rhabdoviridae microviruses. The causative agent can be detected in saliva, secretions and tears. The virus is destroyed at a temperature of 56 ° C for 15 minutes, and at 100 ° - in 2 minutes, it does not tolerate sunlight and ultraviolet rays, ethanol and disinfectants. At the same time, the causative agent of rabies is extremely resistant to low temperature, antibiotics and phenol. The disease can be transmitted to humans by wild and domestic animals. Foxes and stray dogs are especially dangerous in spring and summer. The animal is contagious 3-10 days before the onset of signs and throughout the duration of the disease. Salivary and lacrimation, and hydrophobia may be characteristic signs of a sick animal. A person can become infected by a bite or saliva of a large animal on damaged skin and mucous membrane. Also known cases of infection by airborne droplets, through water and the placenta. If a rabies injection was not made on time, the virus begins to activate.
When the virus enters the body, it quickly spreads to the nerve endings and in a short time affects the entire nervous system, causing swelling, hemorrhages and serious changes in the nerve cells of the brain. The incubation period can last from 30 to 50 days, and in some cases 10-90 days and up to a year.
The disease proceeds in three stages. The first stage is characterized by general malaise, muscle pain, a slight increase in body temperature, the appearance of burning and pain at the site of a bite, depression, insomnia, hallucinations. Stage II occurs in one to three days - excitement, hydrophobia, noisy breathing, convulsions, aggression, sweating and salivation begin. After two or three days, the disease passes to the final stage, when there is sedation, fear of fear goes away. Temporary relief ends with an increase in temperature to 42 degrees, then there is paralysis, cramps, cardiac arrest and death. The whole illness lasts about 7 days.
Disease treatment and immunization
The disease is almost incurable. At the same time, it is possible to prevent it. In this case, it is necessary to give an injection of rabies no later than two weeks after the bite of the animal. In this case, a specific immunoglobulin is administered or active immunization is carried out - rabies vaccination.
Usually adhere to this scheme: an injection of rabies is done on the first, third, fourteenth and twenty-eighth days after a bite. It is also recommended that another injection be made ninety days after the first injection of the vaccine.
Injection is best done in the thigh or deltoid muscle of the shoulder. If a person has been bitten, but before that he has been vaccinated, there are enough antibodies in his body and he is vaccinated without immunoglobulin.
Persons who often communicate with animals, for example, veterinarians, hunters, need to be given a preventive vaccination, with revaccination after one year, and subsequently every five years.
How to behave if a person has been bitten by an animal
After a bite, it is necessary to rinse the bite site with soap and water. Then you should consult a doctor, reporting all available information about the bitten animal and the circumstances of the bite. If the doctor cannot be sure of the absence of rabies in the animal, then it is necessary to take the course of vaccinations that he will prescribe.
In a severe condition of a bitten, he may need inpatient treatment, especially for people with diseases of the nervous system, allergies, pregnant women and those who have been vaccinated against other diseases in the last 2 months. During the vaccination itself and subsequently for another six months, alcohol should be avoided, and one should not overwork, overcool and overheat.
If after administration of the vaccine the condition worsens and side effects of the rabies vaccination occur , then you should contact the medical staff and the vaccinations should be temporarily stopped. The decision to continue vaccination is made by the physician after the conclusion of a neurologist, rabbiologist and therapist.