Rabies

Rabies, also known as hydrophobia, is kind of an infection which affects central nervous system. Including humans, it also affects warm-blooded creatures. Rabies is a kind of a virus which spreads through the saliva of an infected animal into the blood stream of the victim. After getting infected, patient suffers from swelling in the brain and can cause death too. As per the survey conducted by WHO, an estimated number of 40000 to 70000 people die of rabies. In case of urban areas, dogs and cats are the most affected animals as well as some of the wild life animals like fox, bats. As per the survey it is found that over 150 countries from which 30 countries including the UK are now officially rated to be free from rabies.

Symptoms

Losses of appetite, headache, fever or pain are the symptoms of a person who gets bitten by the affected animals. The infected person gets more sensitive towards sound, light and temperature hereafter. Within a few days time, the infected person starts getting violent. In case of a patient suffering from hydrophobia, person may not be able to swallow water as he starts fearing that it may lead to choking. In worst case scenarios, patient starts panicking with the sight or even sound of water. As a result, he starts biting as well as thrashing things. In case if the disease doesn’t get treated well in time, it can even lead to the death of the person or coma.

Causes

Pet animals get affected when they get exposed to wild life animals who may already be suffering from the condition. It affects human beings from the infected animals mainly dogs bites, or licking with the broken skin. After sometimes, the infection multiplies into the human muscle cells, entering into the spinal cord and then brain or other organs. The infection period varies from the positioning of the wound. Children are on high risk due to their short heights.

Diagnosis

Usually, the suspected animal is observed for 4-5 days. In human beings, saliva may also be taken for examination. In case if dogs or patient dies, then their brain may be examined to confirm the presence of Rabies virus. Doctors would normally do a FAT test on the deceased human being.

Treatment

Early treatment can help an affected human being by maximum chances of survival. On a later stage, treating that person is quite tough and the chances also go down. Doctors suggest that after being bitten by the affected animal, person should clean the wound with some alcohol or antiseptic as soon as possible. Also it is recommended to keep the wound open. They may be given the Rabies vaccination to stop the spreading of the infection in the body. Vaccination is always given through veins in arms. Few numbers of patients have been treated successfully but the after-effects can render a disability for life time.

Complications

Rabies treatment is very costly. So, affording the treatment is another complication most of the time for people. That’s the reasons why the number of patients getting treated is low. The only way to increase survival chance is to seek medical help as soon as possible after being bitten.