Rabies (die for sure unless miracle happens)
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With rabies back on to the headlines again, people may wonder what actually is this rabies, and why are a mere 5 cases made it to the headlines in Malaysia.
And the reason is this -- Fatality: 100% (with a few exceptions, less than 10 survivors in the whole recorded human history)
What that means is, that it is almost certain that once the symptoms appear the victims will definitely die, unless miracle happens.
Medical experts have found some ways to increase the chance of survival, but till now there is no cure.
The best way to fight against rabies is prevention: vaccines and animal control.
Rabies (a.k.a. mad dog disease a.k.a. sakit gila anjing) is a viral disease, which can infect mammals and a few other animals (please don't ask me if whales are included, but theoretically they can be infected too) including humans. Domesticated dogs are responsible for 99% of human rabies cases, while cats, bats and other mammals are all possible sources, oftenly cats and bats. 95% of all cases concentrates in Asia and Africa, otherwise, it is actually found everywhere on earth except for artic and antartica. Every year tens of thousands (that's 5 digits) die of rabies worldwide.
1. How is rabies transmitted?
Lyssavirus (the Genus of virus that causes rabies) are found in high concentration in nervous tissues and saliva of a rabid animal.
Almost all cases (but not exclusively) are transmitted through bites.
The viruses in the saliva enter the victim through the wound.
The viruses that came into the wounded muscles or coming in contact with the peripheral nerves then travel upward retrogradely following the nerves, until they come to the central nervous system (spine and brain), and it is where they wreak havoc. The main and fatal problem -- brain inflammation and damage.
2. What are the symptoms of rabies?
Symptoms usually appears 1-3 weeks after an infectous bite (but it varies from few days to a whole year), and when the symptoms appear, death is almost always the outcome.
There are two types of rabies in terms of its manifestations. The agressive (furious) rabies and the paralytic rabies.
In its furious form, the patient will show high excitability, irritability (mad-like), fear of water (hydrophobia) most likely due to the excruciating pain in the throat while swallowing. Patient most likely die within days.
In the paralytic form, it take a longer course, like a few weeks. Slower onset, slower manifestations, slower course to death. Patient's muscles slowly but progressively paralyses, started from the site where he/she was bitten. Then slowly slips into coma and then slowly dies.
3. What do we do if we are bitten by a rabid/suspicious animal?
Wash, wash, wash and wash again, very very very thoroughly, and with soap, then go see a doctor.
4. What will the doctors do?
Depends on cases, vaccination is the golden standard for its prophylaxis.
Its efficacy? With adequate washing and vaccination, 100% effective.
In some cases, where transdermal penetration is confirmed, the doctors may give immunoglobulin treatment (which is actually very very expensive).
5. What can we do?
Prevention is the only way to go.
It is good for everyone to be able to recognise rabid animals, so do look up for more information.
To the pet owners -- please do get your pets vaccinated.
To those who are feeding the strays -- please be responsible.
To those who are compassionate -- trap, neuter, release and manage.
To those who have the knowledge -- educate and share.
With rabies back on to the headlines again, people may wonder what actually is this rabies, and why are a mere 5 cases made it to the headlines in Malaysia.
And the reason is this -- Fatality: 100% (with a few exceptions, less than 10 survivors in the whole recorded human history)
What that means is, that it is almost certain that once the symptoms appear the victims will definitely die, unless miracle happens.
Medical experts have found some ways to increase the chance of survival, but till now there is no cure.
The best way to fight against rabies is prevention: vaccines and animal control.
Rabies (a.k.a. mad dog disease a.k.a. sakit gila anjing) is a viral disease, which can infect mammals and a few other animals (please don't ask me if whales are included, but theoretically they can be infected too) including humans. Domesticated dogs are responsible for 99% of human rabies cases, while cats, bats and other mammals are all possible sources, oftenly cats and bats. 95% of all cases concentrates in Asia and Africa, otherwise, it is actually found everywhere on earth except for artic and antartica. Every year tens of thousands (that's 5 digits) die of rabies worldwide.
1. How is rabies transmitted?
Lyssavirus (the Genus of virus that causes rabies) are found in high concentration in nervous tissues and saliva of a rabid animal.
Almost all cases (but not exclusively) are transmitted through bites.
The viruses in the saliva enter the victim through the wound.
The viruses that came into the wounded muscles or coming in contact with the peripheral nerves then travel upward retrogradely following the nerves, until they come to the central nervous system (spine and brain), and it is where they wreak havoc. The main and fatal problem -- brain inflammation and damage.
2. What are the symptoms of rabies?
Symptoms usually appears 1-3 weeks after an infectous bite (but it varies from few days to a whole year), and when the symptoms appear, death is almost always the outcome.
There are two types of rabies in terms of its manifestations. The agressive (furious) rabies and the paralytic rabies.
In its furious form, the patient will show high excitability, irritability (mad-like), fear of water (hydrophobia) most likely due to the excruciating pain in the throat while swallowing. Patient most likely die within days.
In the paralytic form, it take a longer course, like a few weeks. Slower onset, slower manifestations, slower course to death. Patient's muscles slowly but progressively paralyses, started from the site where he/she was bitten. Then slowly slips into coma and then slowly dies.
3. What do we do if we are bitten by a rabid/suspicious animal?
Wash, wash, wash and wash again, very very very thoroughly, and with soap, then go see a doctor.
4. What will the doctors do?
Depends on cases, vaccination is the golden standard for its prophylaxis.
Its efficacy? With adequate washing and vaccination, 100% effective.
In some cases, where transdermal penetration is confirmed, the doctors may give immunoglobulin treatment (which is actually very very expensive).
5. What can we do?
Prevention is the only way to go.
It is good for everyone to be able to recognise rabid animals, so do look up for more information.
To the pet owners -- please do get your pets vaccinated.
To those who are feeding the strays -- please be responsible.
To those who are compassionate -- trap, neuter, release and manage.
To those who have the knowledge -- educate and share.
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