Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects only mammals. Is it over there involves the central nervous system, leading to death in a short time, if the patient does not take the necessary measures soon after exposure.
The person responsible for this zoonosis is a RNA virus belonging to the family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus, present in the saliva of the sick animal. The latter, when biting or licking mucous membranes or injured regions, can transmit rabies to another individual – including a human.
In the case of human rabies, dogs are the main reservoir of the disease. However, foxes, bats, wolves, antelopes, opossums, ferrets, among others are also responsible. The only known form of transmission, of a homo sapiens sapiens for another, it occurs via corneal transplantation.
After contact with its new host, the virus multiplies and penetrates the nervous system, affecting the brain, medulla and cerebellum. O incubation period ranges from one month to two years after exposure.
The first symptoms are less specific: malaise, fever and headaches. After these manifestations, anxiety, agitation, aggressiveness, mental confusion, paralysis, convulsions, muscle spasms and pain when swallowing. Within approximately ten days, the individual goes into a coma and dies.
THE prevention it takes place mainly through the annual vaccination of dogs, cats and grazing animals. Methods involving population control of stray animals and bats and the use of vaccine preventive measures in susceptible people (biologists, veterinarians, peasants) are other ways to avoid this disease.
As we only know two cases of patients with a confirmed condition of rabies who managed to survive, it is essential that, after a case of suspicious contact, the individual only washes with soap and water, the region that came in contact with the animal and seek medical assistance immediately, in order to start receiving doses of the vaccine or human immunoglobulin anti-rabies. É important that the treatment is not interrupted.
About these cases of cure, the first known in our country is that of a boy from Pernambuco, infected after being bitten by a bat. He was cured after five months in the ICU, with the administration of antivirals and sedatives.
THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH WARNS:
Self-medication can have unwanted and unanticipated effects, as the wrong medicine not only does not cure, it can worsen your health.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
Brazil School Team
Virus Diseases - Illnesses - Brazil School