Rabies
Incubation
The virus enters small nerve endings at the site of the bite. The virus slowly travels up the nerve to reach the CNS (central nervous system). The incubation period may last from two weeks to six months. Very often the primary wound is healed and forgotten by the time of clinical presentation of the disease.
Clinical Presentation
When the virus reaches the CNS the patient presents with headache, fever, irritability, restlessness and muscle pains. This develops into a stage of excitement and painful muscle spasms sometimes triggered by swallowing of saliva or water. The patients are also excessively sensitive to air blown on the face. This stage of excitement lasts only a few days before the patient lapses into coma and death.
What to do if bitten.
Wounds should be washed and flushed immediately with soap, detergent and water.
Get medical attention immediately from the nearest hospital. DO NOT DELAY. You will need treatment.
Treatment consists of 5 post-exposure prophylaxis vaccine injections administered on the day of the bite; the 3rd day, the 7th day, the 14th day and the 30th day after the bite.
Prevention
Keep your pets under control. Don’t let them run free, especially at night.
Make sure that your pet is up to date on its rabies vaccination.
Don’t touch or play with animals you don’t know.
Don’t touch animals that look sick even if you may want to help them.
Don’t touch dead animals.
Stay away from wild animals.
Certain people with a higher risk for rabies exposures, such as those who work with potentially infected animals, are recommended to receive a vaccine to help prevent rabies if an exposure happens.
Source: National Center of Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (June, 2022)