Recognizing the Symptoms of Rabies and Treatment, You Must Understand!

Having a pet is fun. How could it not? When you get home, you will be greeted eagerly by your pet. But the thing you need to pay attention to is that pets need to be given vaccines and treatments, so as not to have diseases such as rabies which are dangerous if they are contagious.

Generally, animals that are kept only have a small risk of this dangerous disease. Especially for animals that are wild or not kept and pets that do not get rabies vaccines, the risk is even greater. It is not impossible that the virus is contagious and reaches the area where you are.

Also Read: The Importance of Medical Check-Up Since Young Regularly

What is Rabies?

Clinically, rabies is caused by a virus called Lyssavirus from the Rhabdoviridae class. Transmission can be through saliva, scratches, bites, or licks of infected animals into the mouth, eyes, or wounds that are still open.

Although called mad dog disease, the fact is that rabies can attack other mammals such as cats, apes, bats, wolves, to raccoons.  Animals that already have this virus in their bodies can transmit rabies to humans through these methods.

Rabies Symptoms to Look Out For

The rabies virus that enters the human body does not immediately give a reaction. Conveyed in one of the articles on the official WHO website, the incubation period of rabies occurs about 2 to 3 months. However, this period varies, between 1 week to 1 year, depending on several other factors. 

For common symptoms that you can easily recognize are as follows:

• Fever
• Tingling or burning sensation around the bite
• Continue to seem restless
• Hallucination
• Experiencing a fear of water
• Fear of light
• Removing a lot of saliva
• Stiff
• Paralyzed
• An infection occurs in the brain

These symptoms occur in humans who have been infected with rabies. While in animals, they tend to be more aggressive, lose energy, and lose their appetite. So, if your pet shows these three signs, don't hesitate to take him to the vet for a checkup.

What becomes dangerous is that there is a certain amount of incubation time when the virus enters the body. At this time, the symptoms that appear will be quite vague and less visible. Therefore, when bitten or scratched by  a pet or wild   animal, there are several steps that can be first aid.

• First, wash the wound with soap and running water for 10 to 15 minutes
• Second, give antiseptic and do not close the wound
• Third, if the wound is deep enough and feels sore, you can immediately visit the health center to wash the wound again and get the Anti-Rabies Vaccine (VAR) and Anti-Rabies Serum (SAR). This vaccine should be given from day 0, and again given on day 7 according to doctor's instructions
• Fourth, avoid direct contact of saliva and blood to minimize further transmission   to other people 

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2 Types of Rabies You Should Know

A little useful information for you to know, there are at least two types of rabies known to date. The first is called malignant rabies, and the second is called paralytic rabies.

• Malignant rabies, causing hyperactive behavior in sufferers. Suddenly a large amount of energy appeared and made the sufferer unable to calm down. This rabies also triggers hallucinations, lack of body coordination, and fear of water. When infected with this virus and do not get quick help, then disaster can come within a few days due to cardiac arrest and respiratory problems.
• Paralytic rabies, this type accounts for about 20% of the total number of rabies cases in humans. What you should know is that the impact of rabies is not like the first type and has a longer period than malignant rabies.  Slowly the sufferer's muscles become paralyzed. Not infrequently people affected by rabies experience misdiagnosis and trigger fatal events.

Rabies Cases in Indonesia

In fact, rabies itself is a disease that can be said to always exist. However, due to public awareness, speed of handling, and preventive measures in humans and animals, the transmission rate is not too large.

However, reporting from the official website of Sehat Negeriku Kemkes, until April 2023, there have been at least 11 cases of death due to rabies. Of course, this must be a concern so that you and the people closest to you can stay away from the risks that arise because of rabies.

To deal with this, the Ministry of Health has taken several strategic steps, including:

• Coordinate regularly with Cross Ministries/Agencies through the One Health approach
• Provide Rabies Control Guidelines for all first and advanced health facilities
• Train zoonotic program managers from the human, animal, or wildlife health sectors
• Providing logistical needs in the form of Anti-Rabies Vaccine and Anti-Rabies Serum
• Providing IEC Media for all first and advanced health facilities
• Conduct an integrated epidemiological investigation in the event of an increase in cases or outbreaks
• Conducting surveillance on humans through the Early Alert and Response System
• Establishing a Rabies Center

Also Read: Know What Insurance Is, Types, and 5 Reasons Why You Should Have  the Right Insurance

Although the government has taken the right steps in the prevention and control of rabies infection, of course you also must protect yourself and your environment from the risk of this disease. High sensitivity must be possessed, so that when detected there are pets or wild animals, or even someone who shows symptoms of rabies, it can be treated immediately with quickly.

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References: 

• https://www.siloamhospitals.com/informasi-siloam/artikel/rabies-pada-manusia
• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies
• https://yankes.kemkes.go.id/view_artikel/2531/mengenal-penyakit-rabies
• https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/symptoms/index.html
• https://sehatnegeriku.kemkes.go.id/baca/rilis-media/20230602/3343156/hingga-april-2023-ada-11-kasus-kematian-karena-rabies-segera-ke-faskes-jika-digigit-anjing/
• https://www.alodokter.com/rabies
• https://health.kompas.com/read/2022/05/10/190100968/7-gejala-rabies-pada-manusia-yang-perlu-diwaspadai?page=all