Rabies is a viral infection that is almost always fatal if left untreated. Therefore, it is vital to take the right steps immediately if you are bitten by a suspected rabid animal. Here's what you need to do:
1. Cleaning the Bite Site Immediately
- Wash the Wound:
- Wash the bite area immediately with plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes. This helps reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.
- If possible, clean the area with an antiseptic solution (e.g. povidone-iodine) after washing with soap.
2. Seek Medical Help
- Consult a Health Institution Immediately:
- Go to a healthcare professional or emergency room as soon as possible. You may need a rabies vaccine and immune globulin treatment.
- Provide as much information as possible about the animal that committed the bite (species, time and place of attack, behavior of the animal, etc.).
- Vaccination and Treatment:
- Rabies vaccine (post-exposure prophylaxis, PEP) can help prevent rabies virus from reaching the central nervous system after exposure.
- Immune globulin (RIG) therapy quickly provides passive immunity in the body and prevents the spread of the virus.
3. Tracking the Animal
- Quarantining the Animal:
- If possible, try to capture the offending animal and turn it over to local health authorities or veterinarians. The animal may need to be kept under observation to determine whether it is rabid.
- Wild animals or non-domestic animals usually cannot be captured, in which case evaluate the situation with health authorities.
4. Preventive Measures
- Vaccination and Protection:
- Those who live or work in areas at high risk of rabies (e.g., veterinarians, animal handlers) should receive rabies vaccination.
- Protect your pets with rabies vaccination regularly.
- Avoid contact with wild animals and prevent your pets from going outside uncontrolled.
Monitoring Symptoms
- Symptoms:
- Rabies virus symptoms include fever, headache, general malaise, muscle spasms, difficulty swallowing, and anxiety. These symptoms usually appear several weeks to months after the bite.
- Once symptoms of rabies begin, the disease is almost always fatal. That's why it's so important to get vaccinations and treatment before symptoms appear.
Rabies is a serious and potentially fatal disease. If you are bitten by an animal with suspected rabies, it is vital to clean up immediately and seek medical attention quickly. It is possible to prevent rabies with correct and rapid intervention. Therefore, regular vaccination of at-risk people and pets is one of the most effective methods to prevent the spread of rabies.
