2023-11-08 04:00:00
If an animal infected with rabies bites you, it can quickly become life-threatening. But what actually happens in the body? How do you recognize a rabid animal? And do you need a vaccination? We clarify these questions here.
the essentials in brief
Dies every ten minutes sea WHO a person with rabies. There are worldwide only 15 known cases, in which someone has an infection has survived. This makes rabies one of the most dangerous and deadly diseases of all.
Rabies is highly contagious and will through Viruses transmitted, regarding through the Bite from an infected animal. One can do that Dog be, but also a Fuchsa monkey or a bat. The disease is called medically Rabies.
The problem: there is not always one infected animal immediately recognizable. Not everyone has, for example foam in front of the mouth, as many believe.
In Germany Rabies has been considered for 15 years eradicated. It is only occasionally detected in bats.
How is rabies transmitted?
Rabies will transmitted by viruses. Triggers are different Lyssaviren such as the rabies virus (the classic rabies virus) and Bat rabies viruses.
The viruses enter the human body when the Saliva from an infected animal comes into contact with injured skin, regarding one Bite, scratch or when the animal licks a wound. It can even be enough if the saliva gets on the mucous membranes – for example if you rub your eye following contact. Pure Stroke is true harmlessbut not always a good idea with unknown animals.
Because the virus transmitted from animals to humans is called rabies Zoonosis. In Europe, Asia and Africa the carrier is usually a Dog. But theoretically, all mammals can pass on rabies. On the American continent there are mainly bats responsible for infections.
Typically, affected people do not infect other people. But it has already happened that the rabies virus at a Organ transplant transmitted became. In a case in Germany in 2005, the organ donor had previously become infected while traveling to India. After she died of heart failure, her organs infected six other people.
What happens to the body when there is rabies?
Phase 1: Once the virus has invaded, the first place it multiplies is where it entered the body. After regarding three days, it then slowly spreads along the nerve pathways in the body and migrates to the peripheral nervous system, which connects the nerves outside Brain and spinal cord. During this time there are often no symptoms. Or they are difficult to assign, for example headache, nausea or cold symptoms. Sometimes the entry wound itches or hurts.
This incubation period can last days, weeks, but also months and years. In the Average one expects approximately three months.
Phase 2: The rabies virus then moves further into the central nervous system, into the brain and spinal cord. Once you get here, a vaccination is no longer of any use. The virus triggers an inflammatory reaction in the brain. Now the neurological symptoms begin: restlessness, confusion, attacks of aggression, muscle twitches. There are also fever, insomnia and excessive salivation. The fear of water is striking: those affected react to any form of liquid with severe cramps, even if they are actually dying of thirst. They can no longer speak or swallow and suffer terrible pain. They can hardly tolerate simple environmental stimuli such as light, noise or a draft, for example from a fan.
There is also a silent form of rabies, the “silent rage”, in which paralysis is the main cause.
Phase 3: The symptoms worsen. Now only palliative treatment can be done. Death occurs following one to two weeks. The reason is usually respiratory paralysis or cardiac arrest.
According to the WHO, of the 60,000 people who die from rabies every year, 40 percent are children under the age of 15.
Does an animal have rabies? That’s how you can tell
Important to know: Because rabies can have such a long incubation period, not every sick animal can be identified immediately. The symptoms often only appear following a few weeks.
Show stray dogs or wild animals like foxes do not be shycome towards you, are unusually trustingYou meet an animal that restless and aggressive is, snaps or bitesA wild animal acts apathetic, lethargisch and in need of help (can indicate the “silent anger”)The animal sabbert stark (although only in phase 2), which looks a bit like foamBats no longer fly, lie down paralyzed on the groundOne actually nocturnal animal is suddenly also on Tag activeAn animal looks sick, is very thin or has dull, shaggy furAt pets: Your animal suddenly has paralysis or shows noticeable changes in behavior, for example is unusual fearful, nervous or excitedBats can transmit rabies. You hardly notice a bite because they have such small teeth. You should therefore only touch the animals with thick gloves.© IMAGO/imagebroker
Rabies treatment: is there any treatment?
Because so few people have survived rabies, the disease is officially considered 100 percent fatal. There are no cure.
Wer Contact with an infected animal – or even just a suspicion the animal might have been infected – must be get vaccinated as soon as possible. Preferably within a few hours! This is especially true following contact with bats. The follow-up vaccination is life-saving and it only works as long as the virus has not yet reached the central nervous system.
This is also helpful Wash the wound thoroughly with soap under running water for 15 minutes and then disinfect it with disinfectant spray or iodine ointment. Under no circumstances should you wait to see whether any noticeable symptoms appear. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to reliably rule out an infection using a test.
If you receive a subsequent rabies vaccination, you will receive a total of five doses a few days apart sprayed. There is also one Treatment with antibodies. According to the WHO recommendation, even those who have already been vaccinated once morest rabies should have two more injections if they are bitten or scratched by a potentially sick animal – preferably within three days. Above all, basic immunization provides time for this. Especially when traveling, the nearest hospital is usually not around the corner or has the vaccine in stock.
In 2005 in the USA a sick girl was cured for the first time because his doctor put him into an artificial coma and then treated him with a mix of medications – a medical sensation. But its concept with the name “Milwaukee Protocol” is controversial. The Chances of success are extremely small, Only a handful of people have survived rabies as a result and many have suffered damage.
Rabies country list: Which are risk areas?
⚠️ No risk exists in New Zealand and Antarctica.
⚠️ A low risk exists in Western and Central Europe, the USA, Canada, parts of South America (such as Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay), Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Australia.
⚠️ A medium risk exists in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, in Russia, in southern African countries, Thailand, as well as in countries in Central and South America (for example, Mexico, Brazil).
⚠️ A high risk exists in most African and Asian countries. 95 percent of all deaths worldwide are reported here. India in particular poses a danger. Other risk areas include parts of Central America (such as Honduras, Guatemala) and the Caribbean.
Prevent rabies: This is how you don’t get infected
✈️ Get vaccinated before your vacation: If you travel for a long time in risk areas or have a lot to do with animals at work, a rabies vaccination makes sense. It consists of three syringes, which you can get from your family doctor. If you are unsure, you can also seek advice from a tropical institute or a travel medicine specialist.
???? Be careful when coming into contact with strange animals: The frightened street dog, the pushy monkey or the trusting fox might all potentially be infected. Keep your distance as much as possible and watch out for strange behavior.
???? Be particularly careful with bats: If you discover a dead or seemingly dead animal on the ground, under no circumstances should you touch it with your bare hands. Bats have tiny teeth that you can hardly feel when they bite. If you want to take an animal that has flown into the house outside, then only wear thick gloves. You should also avoid bat caves.
???? Get pets vaccinated: In Germany, a rabies vaccination for dogs and cats is no longer required. You only need proof if you want to go abroad with your animal. But immunization is worth it because it helps contain the disease and protects your four-legged friend – and therefore you too.
???? Only buy pets from reputable breeders. Or you can give an animal from the animal shelter a new home. Smuggled animals from Eastern Europe are often offered on the Internet, which are not only kept in poor conditions but may also be infected with rabies. There was such a case in Bremen in 2021.
???? Do not smuggle animals in from abroad: Would you like to adopt a homeless animal abroad? Be careful, it might be infected with rabies. In 2019, a 24-year-old Norwegian woman died following picking up a puppy off the street while traveling to the Philippines. You can’t just bring stray animals with you to Germany anyway. And even if the animal is vaccinated on site, the protection is only valid following three weeks. It is best to contact an organization that specializes in animal rescue abroad.
???? Keep an eye on your own pet: Pay attention to whether your animal suddenly shows behavioral changes that seem strange to you, for example being unusually aggressive or showing paralysis.
???????????? Talking to children regarding rabies: Explain to them what they need to pay attention to – for example, not picking up bats from the ground, not touching dead animals, etc.
????⚕️ Do not pick up vaccine bait: To vaccinate wild animals once morest rabies, special baits are used that contain weakened pathogens. The animals eat the vaccine and are protected from the disease. The last time this happened in Germany was in 2008, but in many other countries bait is still regularly set out, for example in our neighboring country Poland. If you have come into contact with a (worse case, defective) bait, seek medical advice to be on the safe side.
Frequently asked questions regarding rabies
What happens if you have rabies?
A rabies infection is almost always fatal. A person worldwide dies in agony every ten minutes from this insidious disease. Infected people can only receive palliative treatment.
Is rabies in humans curable?
There is no drug for rabies. The only saving measure is a vaccination that is administered in a timely manner. Only 15 people worldwide are known to have survived rabies.
How long does a person live with rabies?
After contact with the virus, days, weeks, but also months and years can pass before the disease breaks out. On average you can expect three months. After the first symptoms, it takes one to two weeks before death occurs.
How does rabies manifest itself in humans?
In the early stages, rabies manifests itself at most through diffuse symptoms such as headache or nausea. However, if the virus enters the central nervous system, an inflammatory reaction occurs in the brain. The consequences are restlessness, confusion, bouts of aggression, muscle twitching, cramps, sensitivity to stimuli, fever, insomnia and excessive salivation. Also noticeable is the fear of water, called hydrophobia.
In which countries does rabies still exist?
95 percent of all deaths are reported in Asia and Africa, a third of them in India alone. But Europe is not free of rabies either. Caution is particularly advised in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
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