Rabies - Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

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Rabies in Urdu

یہ بیماری ایک وائرس کی وجہ سے ہوتی ہے جو کہ متاثرہ جانوروں کی رال میں پایا جاتا ہے۔ ایسے جانوروں کے کاٹنے سے یہ وائرس انسانوں میں منتقل ہو سکتا ہے۔ اس کا عام ذریعہ چمگادڑیں، بلیاں، کتے اور خرگوش ہیں

Doctors For Rabies

Summary about Rabies in English

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease (RABV virus) that spreads in mammals by the bite or scratch of rabid animals as their saliva contains the virus which spreads through open wounds or mucous membranes of the ear, nose, and mouth. The animals like rabid dogs, bats, or foxes. The disease affects the central nervous system in humans resulting in coma and even death. It is fatal if clinical symptoms appear, however it can be prevented by vaccination. Rabies treatment in Pakistan is provided by the general physicians.

Causes of Rabies 

The rabies virus is spread by the bite of rabid animals as their saliva enters humans containing the RABV virus. The disease also develops by scratching open wounds such animals.

Common animals causing rabies include Dogs, foxes, horses, bats, and monkeys. 

Symptoms of Rabies

The symptoms of rabies occur according to the disease progression stages. The 5 stages of rabies progression in humans include;

Incubation: It is the time after the entry of infection into the body and before the symptoms appear. Incubation usually lasts for about 2-3 months up to one year

Prodromal phase: The entry of the virus into the brain initiates flu-like symptoms including;

• High fever (102-104 °C)

• Itching and irritation at the infectious site

• Nausea and vomiting

• Headache

• Cough

• Anxiety

Acute neurological disease: The brain gets affected and neurological symptoms appear. They include;

• Breathing difficulties

• Production of an excessive amount of saliva

• Foaming at the mouth

• Partial or complete paralysis

• Convulsions

• Phobias associated with water, or light

• Sleep disorders like insomnia

Coma: Coma develops by the end of this face with inconsistent breathing

Death: After these symptoms, death may occur within 3 days 

Diagnosis of Rabies Disease

As soon as you are scratched or bitten by a rabid animal, seek medical help without waiting for the symptoms or diagnosis.

Certain tests are performed to diagnose the severity of the viral spread which include;

• Blood tests

• MRI

• Saliva test

• CSF test

Treatment for Rabies in Pakistan

There is no specific treatment for rabies. After being exposed to the virus, clean the wound with antiseptic and seek medical help as soon as possible. An antibody treatment and shots of vaccination are injected to prevent the disease after the entry of the virus into the body.

Complications associated with Rabies

Rabies is a fatal disease causing encephalitis if you do not seek immediate treatment.  It can result in paralysis, coma, and even death within 3 days as the disease spreads in the brain.

Risks for developing Rabies

The rabies disease spreads by the bite of rabid animals and the chances of the disease are equal in all individuals however, certain risk factors may increase the chances of infection such as;

• Working as a veterinarian

• Living in a country where rabies is common

• Wounds on the head or neck (virus travels quickly from such areas)

• Working in labs associated with the rabies virus

Prevention of Rabies

The fatal rabies disease can be avoided by a number of preventive measures that include;

• Vaccinate your pets 

• Vaccinate yourself with rabies vaccine if you are at high risk of developing the disease (veterinarian, lab workers, etc)

• Properly supervise and confine domestic animals 

• Avoid keeping the wounds open

• Seek medical help as soon as possible after any contact with the rabid animals.

Marham provides a platform for online or in-person consultation with the best general physicians for the treatment of Rabies in Pakistan.

Symptoms of Rabies

Symptoms of rabies, in the beginning, are just like the flu which lasts for days. After some days other accompanying symptoms might be as follows:

• Headache
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Hydrophobia
• Agitation
• Anxiety 
• Hyperactivity
• Increased salivation
• Hallucinations
• Nausea
• Vomiting
  
• Partial paralysis

Causes of Rabies

Rabies is caused by the rabies virus. It is transmitted to humans by the bite if affected animals. Animals that can transmit rabies include both wild and pet animals. Cats, cows, dogs, bats, foxes, horses, monkeys and raccoons can transmit this disease by biting.

Risk Factors of Rabies

Risk factors for rabies are:

• Traveling to areas where rabies is common. 
• Having a pet that spends time with stray animals.
• Areas where bats are common.
• Activities that put you in close contact with wild animals.
• Laboratory reaserch work involving rabies virus.

Preventive Measures of Rabies

Rabies can be prevented by the use of a vaccine. Also avoiding contact with wild animals and keeping an eye in your pets is key to stay safe. Getting your pet animals vaccinated for rabies is another safety precaution to consider.