The wound healed, but the virus remained: expert on early signs of rabies and emergency immunization

In humans, the incubation period for rabies can last from 10 days to a year. On September 24, the head of the department of especially dangerous infections of the epidemiology department of the Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health Anastasia Leshkevich told reporters, the correspondent of the Minsk-Novosti agency reports.

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According to the specialist, the timing depends on the amount of viral load that got into the body, and the place of contact with the sick animal. The closer the damage to the head and neck, the faster the infection affects the central nervous system. At the same time, the initial manifestations of the disease are nonspecific: a slight increase in body temperature, causeless anxiety, anxiety and excitement.

- The most important clinical sign in the early stages is pain and burning at the site of injury, as well as during nerve endings, Leshkevich noted. Moreover, these symptoms can occur even when the wound itself has long been completely healed and there are no visible traces.

The expert explained that with the further development of the disease, there is an acute sensitivity to sharp sounds and bright light. There is a violation of swallowing and water fear: due to neurological lesions at the sight of fluid, the patient begins severe spasms of the pharynx. The final disease becomes encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and death occurs as a result of paralysis of the respiratory and vasomotor centers. There is still no cure for the developed form of rabies in the world.

According to Leshkevich, the only way to save a life after contact with a sick animal is emergency post-exposure immunization (a course of anti-rabies vaccinations).

In Belarus, the injured citizen has the right to apply to any nearest healthcare organization. This can be done regardless of the place of permanent residence or temporary stay (for example, in a rural outpatient clinic, while in the country). If a particular institution does not provide anti-rabies care, doctors are obliged to immediately redirect the patient on a territorial basis and provide contacts to the desired clinic or hospital.

Anti-rabies immunization for epidemic indications is carried out for citizens free of charge, Leshkevich added. By the way, since we are talking about saving human life, there are no age restrictions. Pregnancy is also not a reason to refuse vaccinations. The risk to health and life with possible infection with the rabies virus is incomparably higher.

Ah. Leshkevich reminded that with any bite, scratch or salivation inflicted on animals, it is necessary to immediately wash the site of damage with soap and water and apply an antiseptic, after which immediately contact a health care institution.