Health A-Z

Rabies is a viral infection that affects the central nervous system. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically through bites or scratches. Here's a breakdown of each aspect.

1. • Prodromal Phase: This phase lasts for a few days and may include symptoms such as fever, headache, malaise, and discomfort at the site of the bite or scratch.
   • Acute Neurological Phase: This phase is characterized by more severe symptoms, including:
     • Anxiety, agitation, and confusion
     • Delirium and hallucinations
     • Hypersalivation (excessive drooling)
     • Difficulty swallowing (hydrophobia)
     • Muscle spasms, particularly in the throat and diaphragm (causing aerophobia and eventually respiratory failure)
     • Paralysis and coma
   • Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. However, if treated promptly before symptoms develop, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent the onset of rabies.

• Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): PEP involves a series of rabies vaccinations and, in some cases, administration of rabies immune globulin (RIG) to prevent the virus from causing symptoms. PEP is highly effective if administered promptly after exposure to rabies virus. It typically involves:
  • Cleansing and flushing the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Administration of rabies vaccine on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 after exposure.
  • Administration of rabies immune globulin (RIG) in the wound site if indicated.
• Supportive Care: Once symptoms of rabies appear, treatment is mainly supportive to alleviate symptoms and improve comfort. This may involve medications to control pain, sedatives to manage agitation and anxiety, and measures to ensure hydration and nutrition.
• Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Individuals at high risk of exposure to rabies (such as veterinarians, animal handlers, and travelers to rabies-endemic areas) may receive rabies vaccinations before potential exposure to prevent infection.

• Clinical Presentation: Diagnosis of rabies is primarily based on clinical symptoms, history of exposure to rabid animals, and geographic location.
• Laboratory Testing: Confirmation of rabies infection is typically done through laboratory testing of samples, such as saliva, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or skin biopsy. Testing involves direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining of tissues or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect viral RNA.