Does a dog bite transmit rabies? Let's know 9 myths and truths

 Does a dog bite transmit rabies? Let's know 9 myths and truths

The rabies virus is transmitted to humans through animal bites or their saliva, and it is fatal if not vaccinated on time.

Rabies can also be transmitted from not only dogs but also cats, monkeys, bats and foxes.

To prevent rabies, it is necessary to get vaccinated immediately after an animal bite.

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus. It is mainly a disease that occurs in animals, but it can also be transmitted from infected animals to humans. This virus remains in the saliva of infected animals. When an animal bites a person, the virus is transmitted to humans. Rabies is a serious and deadly disease, about which there are many myths and misconceptions in society.

Myth 1: Rabies is transmitted only through bites.

Truth: Rabies is usually transmitted through animal bites, but if the saliva of an infected animal enters the body in other ways, the disease can also be transmitted to humans. The disease can also be transmitted through cuts, abrasions, or contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Myth 2: Rabies is only transmitted by dog ​​bites.

Truth: Many people have the misconception that rabies is transmitted only by dogs. However, this is not true. Rabies can also be transmitted by other animals such as cats, monkeys, bats, and foxes. Also, any rabies-infected animal can spread the disease.

Myth 3: Pets are protected from rabies.

Truth: Pets are not automatically protected from rabies. They need to be vaccinated on time. If they are not vaccinated, they can also be at risk of this disease. Therefore, it is important to regularly vaccinate your pet dog or cat against rabies. For this, you should consult a veterinarian.

Myth 4: Rabies vaccination is not necessary if you are bitten by a vaccinated dog.

Truth: If a pet dog or cat has been vaccinated and bites or scratches, you should seek medical advice immediately. Sometimes the vaccine can be missed or the immune system is not fully developed, so there is a risk of rabies. Therefore, post-bite vaccination should be done after consulting a doctor.

Myth 5: Rabies vaccine is given in the armpit.

Truth: Many still think that rabies vaccine is given in the armpit, but this is wrong. Modern medical science has made progress. Now rabies vaccine is not given in the armpit, but in the arm or sometimes under the skin. This modern vaccine is very effective and safe.

Myth 6: Applying turmeric, chili or oil to the bite site prevents rabies.

Truth: It is completely wrong to use home remedies like turmeric, chili on the bite site of a dog or cat. Such measures can cause more serious harm to the patient. The bite site should be washed immediately with clean water and soap and immediately go to the doctor and get rabies vaccine.

Myth 7: Rabies vaccine can be given at any time.

Truth: Many people think that rabies vaccine can be given at any time, but this idea is very dangerous. Rabies vaccine should be given immediately after a bite or scratch. Delaying treatment reduces the effectiveness of the vaccine. If symptoms appear, the disease cannot be treated. This disease is fatal.

Myth 8: Tetanus vaccine protects against rabies.

Truth: Many people seem to feel more confident after getting the tetanus vaccine, and some even avoid getting the rabies vaccine after getting the vaccine. As a result, we have experienced that people who have been bitten by a rabid animal have died due to rabies. Therefore, rabies vaccination is mandatory.

Myth 9: The vaccine should be given within 24 hours of a dog bite.

Truth: It is not necessary to get the vaccine within 24 hours of a dog bite. The sooner the vaccine is given after the dog or animal bites, the faster it works, so it is advisable to get it immediately. But even if it is delayed for some reason, it should be administered as soon as it is known or as soon as the vaccine is available.

Points to note

The only way to avoid rabies is prevention, which is possible through vaccination. If you have pets, they should be vaccinated on time. If you are bitten by an animal, you should immediately seek medical advice and do not use any home remedies on the wound. If symptoms of rabies appear, this disease can be fatal. Therefore, you should not believe any myths related to rabies and only follow the advice of a doctor.

10 myths and facts about rabies

 10 myths and facts about rabies

In Nepal too, Rabies Day is being celebrated by organizing various programs with the basic slogan of 'Adoption of one health, zero death from rabies'. The World Health Organization's Global Strategic Plan aims to reduce human deaths from dog-bite rabies to zero by 2030. In this context, let's analyze the misconceptions and scientific facts about rabies in our society.

Myth-1: Rabies occurs when bitten by a dog or other animal that is aggressive and has fins in its mouth.

Fact: It's normal for dogs to bite when they feel unsafe and scared. This is a natural behavior of dogs. But dogs with rabies will bite any person for no reason. It is also not true that aggressiveness and foaming at the mouth is rabies. While most rabies-infected animals are aggressive, some animals may appear very passive at first. Symptoms such as fever and fatigue are early signs of rabies in animals or humans. An infected animal may have difficulty standing and may suffer from lameness and paralysis.

Myth-2: Rabies is transmitted only through bites.

Fact: Rabies can be transmitted not only by the bite of a dog or other animal with rabies, but also if the saliva of the suspected animal comes into contact with different membranes or wounds of the body.

Misconception-3: If a mouse or rabbit bites you at home, you get rabies.

Fact: Rabies is rarely transmitted to humans from rats and rabbits. Therefore, post-bite rabies vaccine is not required for domestic rabbit and rat bites. However, if bitten by a wild rabbit, mouse or rat species, it is advisable to vaccinate on the advice of an infectious disease specialist.

Myth-4: There is no cure for rabies.

Fact: Rabies is preventable. Vaccines are available for both humans and animals to prevent the spread of rabies. If you have been bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies, the wound should be immediately cleaned thoroughly with soap and water for 10-15 minutes and vaccinated within 24 hours of the bite. But after seeing the symptoms of the disease, it is not possible to treat the rabies disease.

Myth-5: I do not need a post-exposure human rabies vaccine if I am bitten by a vaccinated dog.

Fact: Although this is theoretically true, if the quality of the vaccine, the time of administration, the method and the physical condition of the dog are not suitable, even after vaccination, the dog may develop rabies. Therefore, even if the dog is vaccinated against rabies, it should be consulted by a doctor. A doctor will evaluate the bite wound to determine if a post-exposure vaccine is needed.

  Myth-6: Some people still think that 20 or more abdominal shots are required to treat rabies.

Fact: In today's treatment system, depending on the condition, three vaccinations are usually done on the arm on the day of the bite, on the third day and on the seventh day.

  Misconception-7: Vaccination against rabies in humans increases the risk of getting sick and also affects memory.

Fact: Older human vaccines had some side effects but the new human vaccine that is currently available does not have side effects.

  Myth-8: Pets and non-exposed dogs and cats do not need to be vaccinated against rabies.

Fact: Domesticated dogs can also be at risk of rabies from sneaking out of the house and from wild animals in the neighborhood. Bats or other small wild animals infected with rabies can enter your home and come into contact with your dog at any time. Since rabies is a fatal disease, it is advisable to vaccinate pets and non-exposed dogs and cats against rabies.

Myth-9: Vaccination against rabies in pregnant and lactating women has negative effects on children and should not be vaccinated.

Fact: All modern vaccines are inactivated, safe and effective, so pregnant and lactating women can get the rabies vaccine without harm to the baby.

Myth-10: Young puppies do not need to be vaccinated for bites.

Fact: Puppies born to dogs that have been vaccinated against rabies and have fully developed immunity to rabies have the ability to fight the disease for at least three months of age. Therefore, in general, a dog under three months of age does not need to be vaccinated, but since we do not know much about the mother of the dog we have adopted, it is wise to get vaccinated against rabies even if a young child is bitten by a dog.

Myths and facts about rabies

Myths and facts about rabies

September 28, Rabies Day is being celebrated by organizing various programs with the basic slogan of 'Adoption of one health, zero death from rabies'. The World Health Organization's Global Strategic Plan aims to reduce human deaths from dog-bite rabies to zero by 2030. In this context, let's analyze the misconceptions and scientific facts about rabies in our society.

 Does a dog get rabies with a bite?

We've heard a lot about rabies. Because rabies vaccines are readily available, people are less interested in them than in other diseases.