Rabies Prophylaxis

Rabies General Information

Rabies is the generic medical term under which a severe viral disease is commonly known. This disease affects the central nervous system of the individual, and it is primarily spread through the saliva of already infected animals - in most cases through direct contract with an open wound or, more commonly, through bites.

Once the virus has entered the organism, it permeates into the muscular tissues and from there into the peripheral nerves. Once there, it continues to advance into the spinal cord and the brain of the patient. In the first stages of the disease, flu-like symptoms can appear; however they continue to aggravate with time. More advanced stages are characterized by the appearance of hallucinations, convulsions, respiratory failure and paralysis. Once the infection becomes severe, the disease typically leads to the death of the patient in over 95% of the cases. As such, it is imperative to seek medical attention as soon as possible after any possible contact with the virus.

Rabies preventive vaccines are available for both humans and domestic animals, and as a result it is unlikely to contract this disease from properly immunized pets and domestic animals. Contact with wild animals is more likely to lead to the appearance of the infection. However, it is recommended to seek immediate medical advice after any potential infective contact with any animal.

Rabies Prophylaxis

As part of Rabies Prophylaxis, proper education is imperative. Pets and other domestic animals should always be kept up to date with their immunization programs, and any contact with wild, stray or unfamiliar animals should be avoided, as there is no guarantee regarding their immunization. Sealing any opening which may allow animals to enter the house may be a good idea, as it will help prevent contact with unfamiliar animals. Dead animals can still carry and transmit the virus. Any animal is a potential carrier of the virus and may easily transmit it to humans. Children are more likely to have contact with unfamiliar animals and, as a result, they may be more easily infected. Parents should pay proper attention to this aspect of the child’s education.

Stray animals with a suspicious behavior or that appear to be sick should be immediately reported to the local authorities. Although they may not be rabid, they may carry other diseases which can jeopardize the health state of the population. As such, they need to be consulted by a veterinarian, treated or, if the situation demands it, put to rest and disposed of in a proper environment.

Rabies Prophylaxis also consists of a vaccine which is available for pre-exposure immunization. It consists of a series of injections performed over three to four weeks. This vaccine is effective in preventing the apparition of the disease; however its effectiveness decreases with time so booster shots need to be administered periodically in order to maintain the body’s resistance to the disease.

In cases where a possible infection is present, the patient needs to seek medical attention as soon as he or she can. If that is not immediately possible, the wound needs to be cleaned thoroughly in an attempt to sterilize the area. Washing the area with water and soap, and disinfecting it with alcohol is the most effective method of Rabies Prophylaxis in such cases. When soap or disinfectants are not available, water alone is the next best option; allowing the wound to bleed freely may also contribute to limiting the chances of infection.

In many underdeveloped countries, the virus is still often present in animal carriers such as dogs. For this reason it is highly advised to consult a specialized health care provider before traveling, and immunization through vaccination is highly recommended. The health care professional may also provide further information on Rabies Prophylaxis and may advise you regarding the handling of potentially infective wounds, as in some areas of the world, post-exposure treatment is not readily available.

Rabies Treatment

Treatment begins as soon as a specialized health care professional determines possible exposure to the virus, in order to maximize the patient’s chances of recovery. In most cases, the treatment consists of a single dose injection with Rabies immune globulin which is immediately administered, along with one dose of the vaccine. The vaccine treatment is then continued over a period of 28 days. The vaccine injections are administered into the muscle of one of the upper arms, while the immune globulin is injected in the general area of exposure.

Immune globulins are proteins which act as temporary antibodies, neutralizing the pathogen agents until the body is able to produce its own protective agents. On the other hand, the Rabies vaccine stimulates the body to produce the required antibodies, in order to effectively continue fighting against the disease after the effect of the immune globulin shot wears off. While the process of synthesizing the antibodies takes longer, it also ensures a much longer protection against the disease than the one granted by the immune globulin injection.

While the injections are not painful, in some cases they may trigger some mild physical reactions such as redness or swelling around the site of injection. Other side effects that may appear are muscle aches, headaches, nausea and fever - they should recede after a few days.