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Rabies
Medical Questions » Rabies
| Name: Rabies |
| Also known as: |
| Invariably fatal viral infection spread by animal bites (eg. dog, cat, bat, monkey, rats). Found throughout Asia, Europe (except Spain, Italy, Scandinavia and Britain), Africa and the Americas, but not present in Australia and the Pacific. Other forms of the rabies virus have been implicated in rare infections, including a fatal encephalitis that can be caught from infected bats in northeastern Australia. |
Causes of Rabies
The Lyssavirus, which infects the salivary glands of animals, so that any bite causes the injection of the virus into the victim' s wound. Incubation period after a bite is three to seven weeks. If possible, the animal causing the bite should be isolated and observed to see if it is affected. |
Symptoms of Rabies
The classic symptom is fear of water (hydrophobia) which is due to the severe pain that swallowing any food or liquid causes as a result of muscle spasm in the throat. Further symptoms include skin pain and tingling, generalized muscle spasms, convulsions, the production of copious amounts of thick saliva and eventually muscle paralysis. |
Tests for Rabies
Diagnosis confirmed by a specific blood test. |
Treatment for Rabies
First aid after a bite is thorough washing of the wound with soap and water, then drenching the bite in antiseptic (eg. Betadine). If rabies is suspected it is essential for the patient to receive a rabies vaccine. No treatment available once symptoms appear.
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Complications of Rabies of its treatment
None. |
Likely Outcome of Rabies
Death within two or three days of symptoms appearing. |
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