Rabies is a disease caused by rhabdoviruses. To date, there is no effective method of therapy that can cope with this ailment. In order to prevent and protect the body from a dangerous virus, a rabies vaccine is given, the introduction of which provides a stable immunity. Short-term protection against infection is provided by rabies immunoglobulin. It protects the body from the spread of the virus after a bite through specific antibodies that neutralize particles of the pathogen.
general information
Only vaccination can prevent rabies. The transmission method is from a sick animal to a person. Contact with rodents, wolves, badgers, foxes, raccoon dogs, bats, unvaccinated dogs and cats is dangerous. The virus enters through the saliva of an animal on the mucous or damaged skin of a person and then into the blood. Moving forward, he quickly reaches the nerve cells of the spinal cortex, causing a dangerous disease of encephalitis. After the first symptoms appear, death occurs in 7-10 days. The incubation period is blurry and lasts from ten to fifty days, depending on the location of the bite, the size of the wound, as well as the age of the individual. The greatest danger is injuries and wounds of the upper limbs, thoracic region, neck and face. In these cases, it is necessary to introduce immunoglobulin into the bite area.
Story
L. Pasteur, a scientist from France, invented the rabies vaccine.
Back in 1885, he introduced a weakened strain of the virus to a nine-year-old boy who was bitten by a rabid dog. The child survived. In the future, the vaccine was repeatedly improved. In the twentieth century, a new highly effective vaccine was invented, which reliably protects against the virus after contact with it, and is also used for preventive purposes.
Symptoms of the disease
The damaged area of the dermis turns red, swelling is observed. Pain along the nerve endings and skin itching are obvious signs of the disease. Next comes a general malaise, weakness, and poor sleep. After a certain period, the symptoms increase and appear in the form of:
- water phobia;
- convulsive muscle contractions in the pharynx and larynx;
- noisy breathing. It may stop when trying to drink water;
- attacks that last a few seconds. At the same time, the head and body are thrown back, the patient screams, his hands tremble;
- aggression, increased irritability. An individual can crush and break objects that surround him;
- increased sweating and salivation.
Inflammation of the cerebral cortex, hypotension, paralysis of the upper and lower extremities, and an increase in temperature to critical values lead to death.
Anti-rabies assistance
It consists in the local treatment of the affected surface and places where there is saliva of the animal. Next is a rabies vaccine. If there is evidence - and anti-rabies immunoglobulin. The interval between the introduction of the latter and the vaccine should not exceed thirty minutes. The saliva of an infected animal quickly enters the brain through the vessels, so you should contact a medical institution as soon as possible. The procedure after the attack of the animal:
- wash the wound immediately for at least 15 minutes with running water and laundry soap. A soap solution washes away dirt and saliva;
- treat damaged areas of the dermis with a disinfecting solution, for example iodine, potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), brilliant green (brilliant green) or 70% alcohol solution;
- apply a gauze sterile dressing;
- contact a medical institution on the first day after a bite.
It should be remembered that the maximum effect of vaccination is achieved when the patient still has no signs of the disease.
Indications for vaccination
Vaccination against rabies for a person after a bite is necessary in the following cases:
- in contact with wild animals;
- in case of violation of the integrity of the dermis with objects moistened with the saliva of a rabid animal;
- with bites or scratches of rabid animals or unvaccinated pets;
- for any violation of the integrity of the dermis after an attack by wild or rabid animals;
- professional activities involving contact with animals (rangers, veterinarians, hunters, catchers and some).
The rabies vaccine is the introduction of an anti-rabies vaccine registered in the Russian Federation.
Concentrated Anti-Rabies Culture Purified Inactivated Vaccine (KOKAV)
Refers to medical immunobiological preparations. In its composition does not contain antibiotics and preservatives. Promotes the development of cellular and humoral immunity against rabies. It is used for therapeutic purposes with the bites or contacts of individuals with sick, wild, unknown representatives of the animal world. The rabies prophylactic vaccine is indicated for people with a high risk of infection due to professional activities.
There are no contraindications for use as treatment-and-prophylactic immunization. A vaccine is injected into the shoulder muscle of the adult population, and children in the upper thigh. It is forbidden to enter the buttock. The person who received the vaccine is under the supervision of a medical professional for about half an hour. Possible side effects of a rabies vaccine in humans are:
- slight swelling;
- redness at the injection site;
- itching
- hyperemia;
- pain at the injection site;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- weaknesses;
- headache;
- allergic reactions of a systemic nature;
- neurological symptoms. If they occur, urgent hospitalization in a medical institution is required.
The purified rabies culture inactivated vaccine (Rabipur)
After a preventive vaccine against rabies is given to a person who has not previously been immunized, an adequate immune response is achieved after three to four weeks. You can not enter the gluteal region of the vaccine, since there is a danger of developing a distorted response. Indications for use are similar to the KOKAV vaccine.
Contraindications:
- chronic diseases in the acute stage;
- infectious diseases in the acute stage. A mild infection is not a contraindication;
- severe allergic reactions to the introduction of antibacterial drugs (chlortetracycline, amphotericin and neomycin);
- individual intolerance to the components that make up the vaccine;
- a history of various complications from previous administration of this drug;
- pregnancy.
It should be noted that all of the above applies only to preventive immunization. For the introduction of the drug for therapeutic purposes, neither pregnancy nor breastfeeding is a contraindication. After vaccination against rabies, adverse reactions with damage to systems and organs occur to humans at different frequencies. The following data were identified during the clinical trials of the vaccine. Common unwanted effects:
- lymphadenopathy;
- dizziness or headache;
- discomfort in the abdomen;
- nausea;
- vomiting
- diarrhea;
- rash;
- hives;
- myalgia;
- compaction, pain at the injection site;
- fatigue;
- temperature rise.
Rarely encountered unwanted effects:
- hypersensitivity;
- paresthesia;
- increased sweating;
- tremor;
- radicular damage;
- paralysis;
- polyneuropathy.
Side effects identified during the use of the vaccine: dizziness, fainting, anaphylactic shock, encephalitis, angioedema. It is not recommended to stop and interrupt the started prophylaxis due to a mild or local reaction to the rabies vaccine. According to medical professionals, such symptoms are eliminated by the use of antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Vaccination after a bite
Unfortunately, many citizens have false information and believe that injections are made in the stomach and this is very painful. In fact, they are made into the muscle area of the shoulder and upper thigh. Duration of rabies vaccination for humans:
- on the first day of contacting a doctor;
- on the third day;
- by the end of the first week after a bite;
- on the fourteenth day;
- on the thirtieth day;
- on the ninetieth day.
Thus, the full course is six vaccinations that can not be missed. It is the introduction of such a schedule that contributes to the stable formation of immunity.
Cases when vaccination is not indicated
In the situations listed below, a vaccine against rabies is not given to a person after contact with an animal:
- Dermis or mucous membranes after a bite are not damaged (a dense layer of clothing protects the skin of a person).
- It is known that the animal is vaccinated.
- Ten days after the attack, the watched animal remained healthy. In this case, the started immunization is stopped.
Prevention vaccination
If within a year after preventive vaccination an individual was bitten by a sick animal, then the vaccination schedule is as follows:
- on the day of the attack of the animal;
- on the third day;
- on the seventh day.
It is recommended to be vaccinated against rabies to a person whose professional activity is associated with the risk of infection with this disease, for the formation of immunity and as a preventive measure according to the following scheme:
- on the day of contacting a medical organization;
- on the seventh day;
- on the thirtieth day;
- in a year;
- further every three years.
Cautions When Using A Vaccine
The following drugs have a negative effect on antibody production:
- immunomodulators;
- hormonal, in particular glucocorticosteroids;
- chemotherapeutic;
- used in radiation therapy.
The decision to cancel them is made only by the attending doctor. You cannot refuse to take them yourself. During treatment and preventive immunization, the use of other vaccines is prohibited. Other vaccinations are allowed only two months after completing the full course of rabies immunization.
Contraindications
Vaccines, like other immunobiological preparations, have contraindications for use:
- chronic diseases in the acute stage;
- acute infectious and non-infectious pathological conditions;
- allergic reactions to the introduction of other immunobiological preparations;
- individual intolerance to the ingredients that make up the vaccine;
- pregnancy at any time;
- allergy to antibacterial agents.
All of the above contraindications are important when vaccinated for preventive purposes. Failure to vaccinate when attacked by a dangerous animal is fatal.
Human rabies vaccine: side effects
Vaccines have virtually none. In some cases, it is possible to develop undesirable reactions of the individual's body with intolerance to the individual components of the immunobiological preparation. These include:
- hyperthermia up to fever;
- swelling at the injection site;
- itching
- general weakness;
- headache;
- nausea;
- joint aches;
- Quincke's edema;
- anaphylactic shock.
If the last two symptoms appear, you should immediately seek medical help. All other reactions of the body pass through 12 weeks. Unfortunately, many victims are reluctant to get vaccinated because of the side effects they have. In such cases, it should be remembered that the vaccine will save a life and it is strongly discouraged to refuse it.