Symptoms and treatment of rabies

The cause of the disease is considered to be physical contact with an infected animal. Bites, saliva that gets into cuts or scratches provokes the immediate appearance of a viral infection. According to statistics, dogs are the carrier in 60% of cases. Their incubation period is on average 4 - 5 days, after which the infection remains active until death.

If you immediately wash the wound, immunize within 2 - 3 hours after the bite, then there is a high probability that rabies was avoided.

The virus that causes the disease is very tenacious. It is resistant to antibiotics, phenol, does not die in conditions of a sharp decrease in temperature. It is destroyed by exposure to alkalis, acids. Sensitive to sunlight, heat and ultraviolet light.

Symptoms of infection depend on the development of the disease. There are three periods of the disease.

• Depressive. At the initial stage, the first signs of the body are itching, burning, swelling, hyperemia of the lesion. A person's behavior changes, unmotivated anxiety, depression, apathy are observed.
• Excited. After a few days (usually 2-3), other symptoms appear. An increase in body temperature to 38 degrees, increased heart rate, dilation of the pupils in the light. The main differences of this stage are various phobias. The most common fear is a panic fear of water (hydrophobia). The patient experiences spasms even at the thought of liquid. The development of the disease is marked by manifestations of aggression, hallucinations, increased salivation. Attacks can last for several days.
• Parasitic. If the infection has allowed it to reach this stage, then the patient can no longer be cured. "Calmness" sets in - convulsions pass, apathy comes to everything. After 14 - 48 hours, paralysis of the limbs develops, the pulse becomes chaotic and death occurs from the cessation of respiratory functions.

The time from infection to the culmination of the disease takes no more than a week. Therefore, you should not delay visiting a doctor if you suspect an infection. Timely treatment can save a life.

Diagnostics are based on the results of clinical studies and a survey of the patient. In order to differentiate from diseases with similar symptoms (tetanus, delirium tremens, hysteroneurosis, encephalitis, strychnine poisoning), a blood test is performed. The indicator is the presence of leukocytosis with aneosinophilia.

Treatment of the disease consists of timely cleaning of the wound and taking special medications. If you do not start therapy at the very beginning, then it will not be possible to prevent a fatal outcome. There is no effective impact.

First aid. It is necessary to quickly carry out local treatment of the infection site. Long (at least 15 minutes) rinsing with water and soap, a disinfectant are suitable for this. Povidone-iodine helps well in the fight against the virus.

After this, you need to undergo a course of immunization with a vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin. By carrying out these procedures, you can prevent the disease.

Immediate hospitalization is required if there is contact with an animal that looks sick, exhausted, or shows aggression. You should also pay attention to the abundance of salivation of the animal.