[2015] Amber Curtis (703): Rabies

Rabies

What cause this disease?The virus is spread through the saliva of infected animals. Infected animals can spread the virus by biting a person or another animal. In rare cases, rabies can be spread when infected saliva gets into an open wound or the mucous membranes, such as the mouth or eyes.How can it be treated?Rabies shots include: A fast-acting shot (rabies immune globulin) to prevent the virus from infecting you. Part of this injection is given near the area where the animal bit you if possible, as soon as possible after the bite. A series of rabies vaccines to help your body learn to identify and fight the rabies virus.

Symptoms of the disease?For people, rabies progresses through several stages. A person who is bitten may notice unusual feelings or tingling around the wound. Not long afterwards, there is a period of tiredness, possibly with lack of appetite, headache, fever, cough, sore throat, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A period of extreme worry, irritability, inability to sleep, and depression comes, possibly with hallucinations. ‘Furious rabies’ may follow, for which the signs are strange behaviour including biting other people. At this stage, victims have an uncontrollable fear of water. With this form of the disease, the muscles gradually become paralyzed, starting at the site of the bite or scratch. A coma slowly develops, and eventually death occurs.How many people are affected worldwide?Each year around the world, rabies results in more than approximately 59,000 deaths– that is nearly one death every 9 minutes. How is Rabies transmitted?In more than 99% of human cases, the rabies virus is transmitted by domestic dogs.

Glog by:Amber & Lauryn

Animals getting Rabies