Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that can affect the brain and nervous system. You can contract rabies if you come into contact with the saliva of an animal that has the disease, such as through a bite, scratch or other contact. In this post, we discuss the potential dangers of this infection, preventive measures to minimize contraction and when to seek medical care if necessary.
How do you get rabies?
People usually get rabies when an infected animal bites them. People in the U.S. and Canada are most likely to get rabies from bats. Raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes are also known to carry and transmit the infection in North America. Small mammals such as mice and squirrels almost never have rabies. Conversely, in many other countries, dog bites are the primary source of rabies infection in humans.
Sometimes, the rabies virus can spread to pets, such as dogs, cats and ferrets. However, household pets rarely get rabies because most of them get rabies vaccines. Pets that stay indoors are also very unlikely to contract rabies.
Though rare, it's possible to get rabies even when an animal bite isn't visible. For example, bat bites or scratches may be so small that you don't notice them. If you or your children come in direct contact with a bat, or if you find one in a closed room with a sleeping person, call your primary care doctor right away.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
Signs of rabies in animals may include excessive drooling, foaming at the mouth or paralysis. A pet with rabies may also behave differently than usual, such as acting shy when the pet is usually friendly. However, a wild animal with rabies may have no fear of humans.
In humans, the infection may begin with symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat. Later, symptoms become more serious and can include restlessness, hallucinations and seizures. The final stage is coma and death.
The time from exposure to the virus until symptoms appear is usually 2 to 3 months. In rare cases, it may be shorter or much longer. Because rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, it is critical to seek medical treatment after any possible exposure.
If you believe you've been exposed to rabies, wash the animal bite, scratch or open sore with soap and water. Then call your doctor and local health department right away. They can advise you on what to do next.
How is rabies treated?
The treatment for someone exposed to rabies is a series of shots known as postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). These shots help the body's immune system destroy the disease in its early stages. Getting PEP before symptoms appear usually prevents infection, and you are likely to recover.
In the U.S. and Canada, PEP has two parts, usually given at the same time:
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A shot of human antibodies against rabies, called human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG)
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The rabies vaccination series
Your doctor will give you a shot schedule. Make sure that you do not miss any doses. The rabies vaccine must be received in all its doses for it to work.
How can you prevent it?
Thanks to public health measures, rabies is extremely rare in the U.S., with fewer than 10 human cases reported annually. Here's what you can do to minimize your risk:
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Vaccinate pet dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies. If you aren't the pet's first owner, ask for a certificate of rabies vaccination. If no document exists, confirm with the pet's veterinarian that they received the vaccine.
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Avoid contact with stray dogs, especially in rural areas of countries where rabies is a risk.
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Avoid contact with bats.
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Never touch or try to pet or catch wild animals. This includes raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes. Teach children to avoid these animals as well.
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Secure garbage and other items that attract animals.
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Secure open areas of your home, such as pet doors, chimneys, unscreened windows, or any place where wild or stray animals could enter.
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Never handle a dead animal. Avoid any contact with its brain tissue.
Preventive rabies vaccination is recommended for individuals at high risk of exposure due to their work or hobbies. Your provider may also suggest it if you plan to travel in areas where rabies is a risk, such as parts of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Contact your doctor or local public health department for more information.
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Copyrighted material adapted with permission from Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
