Rabies
The disease of rabies is viral in form, causing a quick and severe infection of the central nervous system, leading to inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). Rabies affects animals that are warm-blooded, and is passed on from species-to-species. For example, if a rabies-infected dog were to bite a human, the human would contract the disease. Also, once infected, the prognosis is fatal if medical treatment is not sought within a matter of days.
Globally every year, approximately 55,000 people die from the rabies virus, with the majority of these deaths occurring in Africa and Asia, and originating via bites from dogs. In contrast, in North America, rabies in dogs has been virtually eradicated due to strict vaccination and animal-control protocols. In fact, certain countries such as Australia have seen a complete eradication of the disease.
The Symptoms
Regarding rabies symptoms, after an individual is first bitten it usually takes half a month to 3 months before symptoms are shown. Generally, the symptoms are quite the same as those presented in a flu virus―lethargy, fever, sore muscles, headaches, etc., with an itching at the bite site. Specific and more advanced symptoms of the virus include anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, brain dysfunction, delirium, hallucinations, and paranoia. Previously unvaccinated humans who become infected often die from the virus a week-and-a-half after initial signs of symptoms. Also, once such severe symptoms are present, it is rare to survive, even with the right medical treatment.
The Causes
According to the National Health Service in the UK, the virus, called lyssaviruses, is passed from animal to animal via the saliva of the animal infected. The saliva can be transmitted via a bite, an infected animal licking an open wound of another animal, or even by saliva entering the eye. Once the virus enters the body, it proliferates rapidly, traveling to nerve endings and then throughout the spinal cord, brain, then on to the organs (kidneys lungs, etc.). The majority of the spreading of the rabies virus is via animal to human, with human-to-human infections being rare, occurring mostly through organ donation of a donor who had the virus. Thus an example of the types of animals who can carry the virus are, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- cats
- dogs
- horses
- rabbits
- monkeys
- ferrets
- bats
- coyotes
- raccoons
- goats
- beavers
Prevention
The prevention of rabies can be considered on a two-tiered level in humans and animals (pets). According to the Center of Disease Control, there exist four main ways to ensure the health and safety of your domesticated pet:
- Be sure to take your pet (cat, dog) to your local vet regularly to ensure the latest vaccinations for rabies are administered.
- Monitor your pet’s whereabouts at all times (e.g. keep your pets indoors, or if outdoors they’re supervised.
- Have your pet spayed/neutered. This will aid in decreasing the population of unnecessary pets, that, in the future, may not receive care and vaccination.
- Be vigilant about strays, as they may be carrying the rabies virus. If you should spot stray animals in your area, notify your local humane society.
In vaccinated humans, via swift and proper medical treatment, the virus is completely curable, however as mentioned above, globally every year, approximately 55,000 people still die from the rabies virus, with the most prominent risk being the transfer of the virus via dogs to humans.
Furthermore, children are most at risk for contracting rabies, mainly because children are often bit by dogs more frequently than adults, and also bitten consecutive times in vulnerable areas on the body. Thus, the best means of rabies prevention in humans is simply through proper vaccination of pets, rabies education and awareness to children, and ensuring that those exposed to rabies are given proper medical treatment.
Treatment Options/Methods
Upon first signs of a bite, the best initial treatment is simply to wash the bitten area very well with soap and water for several minutes. Such a technique is highly effective at killing a majority of molecules of the virus.
Following this soap and water treatment, the infected individual must receive prompt medical help, involving a single administration of immunoglobulin for human rabies, followed up with four administrations of the rabies vaccination. This should unfold over a two week period, with the initial dose being immediately after a bite, and the follow-up doses given at the three day mark, the one week mark, and finally the two-week mark.
Another method at treating an infected human is through by heightening the porousness of what is medically termed the blood-brain barrier―a membrane that protects the brain. Thus, by artificial means, the porousness is increased, allowing for more immunity cells to cross into the brain to kill more viral cells.
One other method is via induced coma, with the rationale being that the deleterious effects of rabies are caused by cerebral dysfunction, which could be prevented if brain functions were temporarily stopped in order for the immune cells to have the time and opportunity to kill the rabies virus.