Contracted through being bitten or scratched by an animal infected with rabies virus; once in human body, virus may be neutralized or may attack central nervous system, causing Fever, irrational behaviour, and violent spasms of the throat made worse by sight of water; without intensive care in hospital (which may involve tracheotomy, artificial ventilation, and sedation), dehydration can cause death within a few days. Only 1 in 10 people bitten by a rabid animal actually develop rabies, but complacency on this score is dangerous since incubation can take anything from 2 weeks to 2 years.
If you think you have been bitten by a rabid animal (one that behaves oddly or aggressively, growls all the time, has froth around mouth), consult your doctor if there is no improvement in 2 hours and inform the local police; it is customary to a start course of anti-rabies vaccination immediately, although these will be discontinued if animal is found not to be rabid. Suspect animals are usually captured than destroyed and kept under observation for 10 days; if they survive, they are not rabid.
Specific remedies to be taken every 2 hours for up to 10 hours if symptoms of rabies develop
- Remedies of first resort Belladonna 30c followed by Stramonium 30c in same dosage
- Person tears at clothes around throat Lachesis 30c
- Symptoms aggravated by water, intense fear of water Hydrophobinum 30c
Prevention: While visiting countries where rabies is endemic, take Hydrophobinum 30c once a day for 7 days, then Belladonna 6c twice daily for 6 months.
For special risk groups e.g. vets, orthodox immunization may be necessary. |