What are the risks of not getting vaccinated after a dog bite? - briefly
Not receiving vaccination following a dog bite poses significant health risks, including the potential for rabies infection, which can be fatal if left untreated. Additionally, other bacterial infections may develop, leading to serious complications and requiring extensive medical intervention.
What are the risks of not getting vaccinated after a dog bite? - in detail
Not receiving appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following a dog bite can expose individuals to several significant health risks. Rabies, a viral disease that affects the nervous system, is the primary concern. Dogs are the most common carriers of rabies, with an estimated 95% of human cases resulting from dog bites. The virus is transmitted through saliva and, once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal.
The incubation period for rabies can vary greatly, ranging from a few days to several years, making early diagnosis challenging. However, once clinical signs emerge, including fever, headache, weakness, and discomfort at the site of the bite, the progression of the disease is rapid and invariably fatal. Without immediate treatment, rabies leads to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), causing symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, agitation, paralysis, and ultimately coma and death.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all individuals who have been bitten by a dog should receive PEP promptly to prevent rabies. This involves thorough wound cleaning and the administration of both rabies vaccine and human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG). The vaccine helps stimulate the body’s immune response against the virus, while HRIG provides immediate protection by neutralizing any remaining rabies virus particles in the system.
Failure to get vaccinated after a dog bite can also lead to psychological distress. The fear of developing rabies and the uncertainty surrounding one's health status can cause significant anxiety and emotional turmoil. This is particularly true for individuals who are at higher risk, such as young children or immunocompromised persons.
Moreover, not getting vaccinated may result in unnecessary medical interventions and costs. If rabies symptoms develop, the patient will require intensive care, including mechanical ventilation and other supportive measures. These treatments are complex, expensive, and often unsuccessful, with survival rates after the onset of clinical signs being less than 1%.
In summary, not getting vaccinated after a dog bite exposes individuals to severe health risks, including fatal rabies infection. It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately following any animal bite to receive appropriate PEP and minimize these risks.