Causes and risk factors
As the name suggest the rabies is caused by lyssavirus. Animals which are infected with this virus transmit the disease to the human beings. Cats, dogs, horses, cows, goats, foxes, monkeys etc can transmit the virus to human beings through bites. The virus enters the human body due to direct contact with mucosal surfaces (e.g.: scratch or wound).However the infection does not spread beyond the intact skin.
Clinical presentation:
The symptoms develop gradually. It can take few days to few years for the person to come up with complaints after the animal bite. Initially the flu like symptoms are seen. The patient comes up with complaints of fever, malaise, body ache, headache, malaise and weakness is seen. Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting occurs. Excess salivation and difficulty in swallowing occurs. At the site of the bite a sense of discomfort is felt in the bitten area. Tingling and burning is felt. Itching occurs. Later changes at the mental level are also seen. Anxiety, confusion, aggression and hallucination manifests. As the disease progresses the virus spreads through the central nervous system causing inflammation of the brain and spinal cord .A fulminate aggressive patient of rabies will manifest with hyperexcitabilty, hydrophobia and arophobia.In paralytic rabies a gradual muscle paralysis, coma and eventually death can occur.
Investigations:
The diagnosis is confirmed on the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patients and physical examination carried by the doctor. There is no specific investigations still available to detect rabies until the symptoms manifest. Diagnosis on the basis of clinical ground alone is difficult. Isolation of the virus in cell culture is diagnostic. Certain other investigations which a doctor can recommend are ELISA test or test for determination of rabies antibodies.
Treatment:
There is no cure however prevention and post exposure prophylaxis is the only measure to be adopted.Rabies immunoglobulin- a fast acting vaccine shot administration is the first line of treatment. Local cleaning of the wound is done. It is washed with soap and water or povidone iodine substance for minimum 15 min which will help to kill the virus. It is followed by administration of series of vaccine to fight against rabies infection is given. Timely vaccination of the pets is also essential measure to be adopted. Vaccination against rabies is the only preventive measure available.
Other Modes of treatment:
Certain other modes of treatment can also be helpful in coping up the disease. Taking into consideration the symptoms in holistic way, homoeopathy can offer a good aid for the relief of the symptoms.
Recent update:
American Friends of Tel Aviv University has published an article stating that scientists have discovered the exact mechanism the killer rabies virus uses to efficiently enter the central nervous system, where it erupts in a toxic explosion of symptoms.
Fact and figures:
As per the WHO statistics, 84% of deaths due to rabies occur in rural areas. It is more commonly seen in children 4 out of 10 cases affected are children.
