Rabies

Question 0

How does Rabies work?

Answer 0

●Virus leaves infected animals saliva and enters the victim’s tissues during a bite
●Attaches to local muscle cells for 2-3 days
●Then penetrates local nerves and begins a slow ascend toward the brain
●Once in the nervous system, the immune system can no longer reach the virus
●It safely proceeds to the brain

Question 1

What is Rabies?

Answer 1

●Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system.
●It is a relatively unstable virus in the environment, requiring fresh contact with mucous membranes to establish infection.
●Rabies virus is of the Rhabdoviridae family of viruses.

Question 2

How does Rabies work?

Answer 2

●The virus may not reach the brain for up to 1 year (average 20-30 days)
●When it reaches the brain, 2-3 days later the disease becomes transmissible and symptoms begin
●NO treatment once symptoms begin!

Question 3

Stages of Rabies

Answer 3

1. Prodromal stage- first 1 ½ days
●Personality change noted
●Friendly animals become shy
●Larynx begins to spasm
●Voice changes can occur
2. Excitative Stage- next 2-3 days
●Animal has no fear
●Has hallucinations
●Larynx paralyzed
●Inability to swallow
●Drooling and foaming from mouth
3. Paralytic or Dumb stage-next 2 days
●Weakness
●Paralysis sets in
●Intercostal muscles become paralyzed
 Stage where most humans become infected

Question 4

Interesting Facts

Answer 4

●You can get rabies from CSF fluid

●Most all islands are Rabies free

●There is an extensive quarantine time
●For example Hawaii is 120 days