RABIES

Also known as “hydrophobia” and

Lyssa.
 Rabies is a viral zoonotic neuroinvasive
disease that causes acute encephalitis
(inflammation of the brain) in mammals.
It is most commonly caused by a bite
from an infected animal, but occasionally
by other forms of contact. If left
untreated in humans it is almost
invariably fatal. In some countries it is a
significant killer of livestock.
Etiologic Agent: Rhabdovirus

The rabies virus makes its way to the

brain by following the peripheral
nerves.
THERE ARE TWO KINDS:
Urban or canine rabies:
- Transmitted by dogs.
Sylvatic rabies:
- Disease of wild animals which
sometimes spread to dogs.
 Modes of transmission
1.Usually bites of a rabid animal whose
saliva has the virus.
2.The virus may also introduced into a
scratch or into a fresh breaks in the skin.
3.Airborne in a cave with a million of bats
have occurred.
4.Organ transplant (corneal) take of a
person dying diagnosed central nervous
system disease have resulted in rabies.
 Incubation Period:

1. One week to seven and a half months in dogs.

2. Ten days to fifteen years in human.
3. Incubation period depends upon the following factors:
a. Distance of the bite to the brain
b. Extensiveness of the bite
c. Specie of the animal
d. Richness of the nerve supply in the area of the
e. Resistance of the host
Period of communicability:

The patient is communicable from

three to five days before onset of
symptoms until the entire course of
illness.
 Signs and Symptoms
Sense of apprehension
Headache
Fever
Sensory change near site of animal bite
Spasms of muscles
Paralysis
Delirium and convulsions
 Diagnostic Procedures:

1. Virus isolation from the patient’s saliva or

throat.
2. Fluorescent rabies anti-body (FRA) provides
the most definite diagnosis.
3. Presence of negri bodies in the dog’s brain.
 Modalities of Treatment:

1. Thoroughly wash the wounds from the bite and

scratches of dog with soap and running water for at
least three minutes.
2. Check the patient’s immunization status. Give tetanus
toxoid if needed.
3. Give tetanus antiserum infiltrated around the wound-
or given intramuscularly after a negative skin test.
4. Give anti-rabies vaccine, both passive and active,
depending upon the site and extensiveness of the bite
as well as the health condition of the biting animal.
 Nursing Management:

1. Isolate the patient.

2. Give emotional and spiritual support.
3. Provide optimum comfort.
4. Darken the room and provide a quiet environment.
5. Patient should not be bathed and there should not be any
running water in the room or within the hearing distance of
the patient.
6. If IV fluid has to be given it should be wrapped and needle
should be securely anchored in the vein to avoid dislodging
in times of restlessness.
7. Concurrent and terminal disinfection should be carried
out.
 Prevention and Control:

The eradication of rabies should be on global scale and should

include measures to prevent and control the disease in animals
and wildlife.
1. Vaccination of all dogs
2. Enforcement of regulations for pickup and destruction of stray
dogs
3. Confinement of any dog that has bitten a person for ten to
fourteen days
4. Availability of laboratory facilities for observation and
diagnosis
5. Providing public education, especially among children, in
avoiding and reporting all animals that appear sick.