Treatment And Prevention Of Rabies

Washing The Wound

To properly care for a bite from an animal, an individual should begin by washing the wound. Since the rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, thoroughly cleansing the wound can wash out a lot of the saliva that contains the virus. This helps reduce exposure to rabies and other pathogens. It is best to begin washing immediately with soap and water. This should last for at least fifteen minutes. It is also beneficial to clean the wound with disinfectant to kill the virus. After washing, the patient should go straight to the hospital to be given the proper dosage of the rabies shot and prevent further development of the disease.

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Be Cautious Around Wild Animals

Individuals should always be cautious around wild animals, as they can be dangerous even if they do not have rabies. Since it is impossible to know for sure whether a wild animal has rabies, extreme care should always be taken when in the presence of such animals. Animals like raccoons, skunks, coyotes, and small rodents are the wild animals most commonly infected with the rabies virus. When around wild animals, it is important to remember the signs of rabies and to understand these signs are not always the best diagnostic tool. Should an individual receive a bite from a wild animal, they should wash the wound and immediately seek help from a medical professional. The animal that bit the person should be reported and sent for rabies testing to determine the best course of treatment.

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