It is important to be knowledgeable about dog rabies and how dangerous it is. It is also important to know what to do in case of a dog bite, whether on the hand or face or other parts of the body. Even a dog scratch should also be paid attention to and know what to do.
How dangerous is rabies from dog or animal bites?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one Asian dies every 15 minutes due to rabies infection. Most of these are children aged 15 and below.
Based on the Department of Health (DOH), there are 200-300 cases of rabies infection recorded in the Philippines every year. All of these cases have been reported to be fatal due to the said infection. Meanwhile, if a dog scratch causes a wound, it is important to consult a doctor immediately.
What is rabies infection?
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According to Dr. Arthur Dessi Roman, an infectious disease specialist, rabies is most commonly contracted by dogs. Although it can also infect other animals and even humans.
Statement by Dr. Roman,
“Rabies can be contracted by dogs, cats can also be contracted by them, and they can transmit it. Basically, all mammals can harbor and transmit rabies, including humans. So we can also be infected and transmit rabies from our pets.”
How can you get rabies infection?
He added that rabies is a virus that can be found in the saliva and other body fluids of infected humans or animals. It is transmitted or infected when a person with a wound is exposed to it.
But Dr. Roman explained, not all animals or dogs are infected with rabies. Although it is not easy to determine which animals are infected and which are not. If a dog scratch causes a wound, it is important to be careful.
“Rabies is a bullet-shaped virus that is present in the saliva and other body fluids of infected humans or animals. And it is transmitted by infected saliva through bites, wounds or mucosal exposure. So the animal that bites you must be infected with the rabies virus. And not all animal bites will result in rabies infection. But unfortunately, we don’t know which animals are infected and which are not.”
How can you protect your family from rabies infection?
Dr. Roman advises that there are two ways to protect yourself and your family from rabies infection. This is by getting vaccinated against the infection, which can be given to you and your pet dog, especially if there is a dog scratch.
“Number one you vaccinate humans and number 2 you vaccinate the dogs. So you vaccinate humans to save lives while you vaccinate the dogs to stop the transmission,” said Dr. Roman. Registered nurse Nornelie Paniza said it is also better to be prepared in case a dog bites a member of our family.
The Department of Health advises that this can be done if we have knowledge of first aid for dog bites, such as dog scratches. This is through the following according to Paniza.
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First aid for dog bites
First of all, calm and reassure the child or anyone who has been bitten by a dog, Paniza advised. The patient should also be taken to the hospital or doctor immediately, but first aid should also be applied.
Here are the first aid steps according to Paniza.
If the person who scratched or bitten is a pet dog with updated immunizations or vaccines:
- For superficial scratches or dog bites that are not deep , wash the wound with soap and water, and hold it under the faucet to keep the water running. Do this for up to 5 minutes.
- Do not rub the wound, as this may cause it to become larger or more painful. Scratching can be harmful because it will make it more open to germs.
- Apply antiseptic lotion or cream.
- If the dog bite is bleeding heavily, apply pressure with a clean towel or bandage to stop the bleeding.
- Observe for an hour or more for signs of infection: fever, redness and swelling around the bite, pus or pus, weakness of the patient. Don’t waste time and rush to the hospital immediately and consult a doctor.
- Also observe your pet dog for signs of rabies infection.
If the person who scratched or bitten is a street dog, it is unknown and there is no evidence that it has immunizations:
- If the dog bite is bleeding heavily, apply pressure with a clean towel or bandage to stop the bleeding.
- Hugasan ang sugat ng sabon at tubig ang sugat, at itapat sa gripo para patuloy ang hugas ng tubig. Gawin ito ng hanggang 5 minuto.
- Dampian ng malinis na tuwalya o bimpo para matuyo ang hinugasang sugat. Huwag kuskusin ang sugat at baka lalong lumaki o magasgas. Takpan ng malinis na gasa. Huwag gumamit ng tape dahil kinukulong nito ang bacteria sa sugat.
- Dalhin sa ospital para maeksamin ng doktor ang sugat at malapatan ng nararapat na gamot. Kapag kagat ng aso na palaboy sa kalye o ‘stray dog’, kakailanganin ng tetanus booster, serye ng rabies vaccine, at antibiotics para makasesguro na ligtas ang pasyente. Titingnan din ng doktor kung kailangang tahiin ang sugat.
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Dr. Roman added that aside from the above-mentioned first aid for dog bites, other commonly believed methods of treating dog bites are not safe. Such as rubbing garlic on the dog bite and sucking on it are all dangerous.
“The correct first aid is to wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes in running water. Garlic should not be applied to the wound because garlic is an irritant to the skin. When you rub it on a thin part of the skin, it will hurt. And we don’t want that to happen in the area where the bite is. Because when there is an area where the bite is injured, that becomes another portal of entry for the rabies virus.”
This is Dr. Roman’s explanation.
How is rabies infection from a dog bite treated?
The treatment given for rabies infection caused by dog bites is based on the severity of the wound sustained by the victim. According to Dr. Roman, it is divided into three categories.
“Category 2 means it is a minor superficial wound and there is no spontaneous bleeding. If there is spontaneous bleeding, it is categorized as category 3. Category 3 is transdermal, meaning the skin is actually broken and there is continuous bleeding. It can also be a scratch wound on the head and neck. Because it is closer to the brain, it is more dangerous.” “For example, if you sustain a category 2 infection, you will be given the vaccine only. If you sustain a category 3, you will be given the vaccine and immunoglobin.”
Then category 1 is just the one where there is no break in the skin. But your skin has been exposed like from feeding or touching the animal. And all you need to do is wash the area for 10-15 minutes.”
This is Dr. Roman’s explanation.
Does dog scratching also cause rabies?
Yes, it is possible to get rabies from a dog scratch, but it is more commonly transmitted through a bite. Here are some important things to know:
- Dog scratch with saliva: If a dog scratches and saliva on its nail or skin enters the wound, there is a possibility of transmitting rabies.
- Scratch that has caused a deep wound: Even if there is no obvious saliva, if the scratch is deep and the dog is positive for rabies, it should be taken seriously.
What Should Be Done?
When scratched or bitten by a dog:
- Clean the Wound Immediately: Washing the wound with soap and running water for 10-15 minutes is an effective way to reduce the spread of the virus.
- Apply Antiseptic: Use iodine or alcohol to clean the wound.
- Consult a Doctor: Get checked immediately forpost-exposure prophylaxis(PEP) vaccine if necessary. This is especially important if it is not certain whether the dog has rabies.
Main Reminder
- Even if a dog scratch or bite is minor, don’t ignore it. Rabies is fatal if left untreated, but it is 100% preventable with proper treatment.
- Always have your pet dogs vaccinated against rabies to protect people and animals around them.
If in doubt, it is best to immediately consult a health center or hospital for proper advice.
Things to keep in mind to avoid rabies infection
Paniza also has additional advice on how your family can prevent rabies infection. These are the following:
- It is important to report any dog scratch or bite, whether small or large, to a doctor immediately, especially if it is not a pet dog. It is better to prevent infection, especially rabies, than to regret it later.
- It is also a good idea to have a family member report a dog bite that is roaming the barangay, so that it can be found immediately and not bite another child or other person. It will also be necessary to catch and observe the dog if there are signs of rabies. Do not attempt to catch the dog without the help of a skilled hunter. There are times when the dog will need to be put down permanently, especially if it is not fully vaccinated and has no owner.
- Teach children not to play or interact with street dogs or dogs that are not owned by strangers. Even if you have a pet dog, you should still teach your child to avoid teasing or teasing the dog to avoid accidental scratches or bites. Explain to children that when pet dogs are eating or sleeping, do not disturb them.
- Make sure your pet dog has adequate immunizations and a license. Your child’s tetanus shots should also be up-to-date.
Things to prepare for a doctor’s visit
If you are bitten by a dog on any part of your body, whether it is the face or the arm, it is important to consult your doctor. Here is the information you should have ready when you visit the doctor:
- Who owns the dog?
- Is the dog’s vaccinations complete, including the anti-rabies vaccine?
- What causes a dog to bite? Is it angry or just playing?
- What health conditions do you have?
People with diabetes, liver disease, and other diseases that affect the immune system may have a higher chance of developing severe infections.
Dog bite treatment
When visiting a doctor after being bitten by a dog, here are some things you can do to treat the wound caused by a dog bite:
- The doctor will look at the wound from the dog bite and determine how deep it is, whether muscles, tendons, nerves, or bones have been damaged.
- The doctor will thoroughly clean the dog bite wound to remove dirt and bacteria. He or she may also remove dead tissue from the wound.
- Sometimes, a wound is sutured when it is too open. However, suturing a wound is considered controversial, because while it helps prevent the wound from getting worse, it can also increase the risk of infection.
- Stitching the wound depends on which part of the body the dog bit. For example, if the dog bite hit the person’s face, it may be stitched to prevent scarring. Meanwhile, for deep wounds that are severely damaged, plastic surgery may be recommended.
- The doctor will also ensure that infection from rabies is prevented. If the dog’s health status is uncertain, you may be vaccinated with an anti-rabies vaccine to ensure that you will not be infected or infected with rabies from the dog.
- You may be prescribed antibiotics for seven to 14 days to prevent infection. The doctor will also have you return after one to three days to check your wound again.
- If you do not know the dog, or you do not know its health condition, it is best to report the incident of a dog bite to your local animal control office or police.
10 things to know about rabies
- Rabies affects the nervous system.
- It can be acquired from a scratch, abrasion, or open wound that has been exposed to the saliva of a rabies-infected dog.
- Petting a dog with rabies, exposure to its blood, urine, and feces is not considered to cause infection.
- The only way to test for rabies in a dog is to check its brain tissue after it has died. There is no other way to test a living dog.
- For human diagnosis, samples of saliva, serum, spinal fluid, and skin biopsy of hair follicles on the nape of the neck can be taken and subjected to tests.
- The rabies virus can infect any mammal or warm-blooded animal, including humans.
- Infected animals can only transmit the rabies virus if they begin to show clinical symptoms.
- There is no cure for rabies and the infection is fatal.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis is given to people who have been exposed to rabies. This includes the administration of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccine. This is given on the day of exposure and at intervals thereafter.
- There has been no recorded case of human-to-human transmission of rabies, whether from a human bite or not.
Symptoms of rabies in humans
There are various symptoms that a person may experience if they are infected with rabies.
Initial symptoms:
- Weakness and discomfort
- Fever
- Headache
- Pain and itching of the wound from a dog bite
Symptoms of severe effects of rabies that can lead to death:
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Irritability and anxiety
- Confusion
- Hyperactivity
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive salivation
- Insomnia
- Partial paralysis
- Delirium
- Hallucinations
- Being aggressive
- Fear of water or hydrophobia
- Aerophobia or fear of fresh air
- Fear of drinking fluids due to difficulty swallowing
To prevent rabies, it is best to do the following:
- Give your pet dog or animal a complete vaccination.
- Protect or keep your pet away from wild animals
- Report stray animals or wandering dogs and cats to your local authorities.
- Do not approach wild animals.
- For those in suburban areas, make sure that bats cannot enter your home. Stay away from them and avoid them as well.
- Get a preemptive vaccine especially if you have pets or if your work is related to animals.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Philippines
