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Rabies Data
Rabies Data
Rabies Data
Transmission of rabies virus usually begins when infected saliva of a host is passed
to an uninfected animal. The most common mode of rabies virus transmission is
through the bite and virus-containing saliva of an infected host. Though
transmission has been rarely documented via other routes such as contamination of
mucous membranes (i.e., eyes, nose, mouth), aerosol transmission, and corneal and
organ transplantations.
Signs and symptoms:
Incubation period: 1-3 months but may vary from <1 wk to >1 yr
>Early: fever, headache, general weakness, discomfort
>Specific symptoms as cerebral dysfunction progresses: insomnia, anxiety,
confusion, slight/partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hyper
salivation, difficulty swallowing, hydrophobia, delirium, abnormal behavior
*Two forms: Furious rabies (signs of hyperactivity, excited behavior, hydrophobia,
aerophobia)
Paralytic rabies
*Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.
Management/Treatment: Supportive
Wound care/cleaning (Immediate gentle irrigation with water or a dilute water
povidone-iodine solution)
Tetanus shot if haven't been immunized in ten years
Prevention: Administration of passive antibody through injection of human immune
globulin and a round of injections with rabies vaccine (Post exposure Prophylaxis)
For Preexposure prophylaxis, only the vaccine is given.
>Prevention in Animals/Pets
1. Visit your veterinarian with your pet on a regular basis and keep rabies
vaccinations up-to-date for all cats, ferrets, and dogs.
2. Maintain control of your pets by keeping cats and ferrets indoors and keeping
dogs under direct supervision.
3. Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may
not be properly cared for or vaccinated regularly.
4. Call animal control to remove all stray animals from your neighborhood since
these animals may be unvaccinated or ill.
>Prevention in People
1. Education
2. Enhancing access to medical care
http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html