Rabies

Understanding rabies

Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease that causes acute infections of the brain and nerves (central nervous system) in humans and warm-blooded mammals. Rabies is caused by the rabies virus. This disease is widespread throughout the continent, except Antarctica, and is endemic in several countries in Africa and Asia. In Indonesia, rabies is a deadly animal disease and is almost always fatal. According to WHO data, domestic dogs are the main vector of the rabies virus, with more than 95% of human deaths caused by domestic dogs carrying the rabies virus.
Additional explanation
The symptoms

Symptoms of rabies usually appear 3 to 12 weeks after being bitten by an infected animal. The first symptoms are similar to the flu and can last several days. These symptoms include:

• Fever greater than or equal to 38 ° C
• Headache
• Feeling anxious or unwell in general
• Pain in bite marks

Other symptoms that may appear a few days later are:

• Confusion or aggressive behavior
• hallucinating
• Produces a lot of saliva or foaming mouth
• Muscle spasms
• Difficulty swallowing and breathing
• Fear of water (hydrophobia), a typical clinical manifestation of rabies
• insomnia
• Inability to move (paralyzed)

The cause

Rabies infection is caused by the rabies virus. This virus is spread by the saliva of infected animals. Infected animals can transmit the virus by piercing other animals or humans. Rabies can also spread when infected saliva enters open sores or mucous membranes, such as the mouth or eyes. This can happen when an infected animal licks open wounds.

Every mammal (young mammal) can transmit the rabies virus. Animals that can transmit the rabies virus to humans include:

• cat
• cow
• dog
• weasel
• goat
• horse
• Bat
• Beaver
• Coyote
• A fox
• monkey
• Raccoon
• Skunk

Although rare, the rabies virus can be transmitted in tissues and organs transplanted by infected organs.
diagnosis

When a crazy animal bites, it is impossible to know whether it transmits the rabies virus. For this reason, preventive treatment against the rabies virus is recommended by doctors if possible to contract the virus.
treatment

If someone has been infected with rabies (has caused clinical manifestations), no effective treatment can be given at this stage. Although few people survive this disease, it is usually fatal (with a mortality rate of almost 100%). The treatment that can be given is beneficial.


Initial treatment

Wash the wound

Bite is washed with running water and soap for 10-15 minutes

Antiseptic administration

Antiseptics (70% alcohol, betadin, red medicine, etc.) Can be given after washing the wound.

Support action
Wounds should not be sewn to reduce the entry of the virus into the deep and deep wound tissue that continues to bleed. Situational links can be established to stop bleeding
Provision of VAR (rabies vaccine) or VAR and SAR (anti-rabies serum). VAR is given if the injury is low risk. All cases should not be given VAR, it depends on the patient's medical history. Whereas VAR and SAR are given in cases of high risk injuries.

If someone with rabies has been bitten by an animal, the doctor will recommend a series of injections to prevent rabies infection. Injections against rabies include:

• Rabies immunoglobulin (rabies immune globulin) or anti-rabies serum immediately after exposure to the rabies virus. SAR acts as a passive immunization to provide rapid neutralizing antibodies before the immune system forms its own antibodies.
• After the administration of the watershed, an anti-rabies vaccine (VAR) will be given intradermally or intramuscularly to help the body identify and fight the rabies virus. This vaccine is given 5 times in 14 days.

prevention

Prevention can be made to reduce the risk of rabies, including:

• Vaccination of domestic animals Cats, dogs and ferrets can be vaccinated against rabies.
• Take care of pets. Take care of yourself and watch animals when you are outside.
• Protect small animals from predators. Small animals such as rabbits cannot be vaccinated against rabies.
• Do not approach wild animals. It is not normal for wild animals to befriend humans. It's best to stay away from wild animals because they might already be infected with rabies.
• Keep the bat away from home. Cover all the holes that allow bats to enter the house.
• Get vaccinated against rabies when traveling to countries where rabies is common or in remote areas where medical care is difficult to find.

Doctor's information
When to see a doctor?

Seek immediate medical treatment if you are stung by animals or animals suspected of being rabies. The doctor will conduct an examination and decide what treatments you can take.
What should be prepared before consulting a doctor

If an animal bites you, immediately consult a doctor to examine your wound. Also tell your injury condition. The doctor will ask questions like:

• What animal bit you?
• Is that a wild animal or a pet?

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