Rabies-101
How can I tell if an animal has rabies?
Wild animals are generally shy and avoid human contact. So if you encounter an animal foaming at the mouth, acting aggressively, or acting unnatural, steer clear of that animal and contact the animal control division in your local area.
Where is rabies most common?
According to the Mayo Clinic, in developing countries, you have a higher risk of getting rabies by dogs than in the United States. The Clinic recommends that if you are going to travel to parts of the world where rabies is common to get vaccinated before you go on your journey.
Can you get rabies if an animal licks me?
If the animal has signs of rabies and licks an open wound, yes it is possible to get rabies through that lick. Rabies is transmitted by scratches or the saliva when being bitten by an infected animal.
Should you be bitten, wash the bite area with soap and water then seek medical help right away as the outcome of rabies is death.
Any mammal can carry rabies.
Mammals are any animals that nurses they’re offspring. The most common animals in developing countries that have a high risk of carrying rabies are stray dogs but can include all these listed.
High-risk contact is from raccoons, bats, foxes, coyotes, and skunks as well as farm animals and unvaccinated dogs as possible sources in the United States.
Should you go to the doctor?
If you think you’ve been bitten by a rabid animal wash the wound with soap and water right away and seek out medical help.
Rabies can lye dormant in your system for 30 to 90 days before you have symptoms. This period is called the incubation period. This timeframe allows the disease to work on your nervous system and get into your brain.
Signs of infection
This starts with fever, tiredness, and weakness. You may also have burning or tingling at the bite site. Other symptoms are you can’t sleep, have confusion, anxiety, hyperactivity, are easily agitated, have difficulty swallowing, hallucinations, become slightly or partially paralyzed, or tingling at the bite site. These symptoms will lead to coma, heart and lung failure, then ultimately death.
How a doctor determines if you’ve been exposed
This is done by taking tissue and fluid samples from you, saliva, hair, blood, and spinal fluid.
With the results of the testing, the doctor will determine if you’ve been exposed to the disease.
Positive results
If your results show positive for rabies you will be given a shot of fast-acting rabies immune globulin. You will need four more shots over a fourteen-day period to get rid of the disease.
So if you think you’ve been exposed in any way to rabies go seek medical attention right away.
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