What happens if you contract rabies from a dog bite? - briefly
If you contract rabies from a dog bite, the virus will travel through your nervous system and eventually reach your brain. Once in the brain, it can cause severe neurological symptoms such as agitation, confusion, and paralysis, leading to coma and death if left untreated.
What happens if you contract rabies from a dog bite? - in detail
Rabies, caused by a virus belonging to the Lyssavirus genus, is a serious and often fatal disease. Transmission primarily occurs through the saliva of an infected animal, typically via a bite. The incubation period for rabies can vary greatly, ranging from a few days to several years, with the average being 2-3 months. This variability makes it challenging to predict the onset and progression of symptoms.
Once the virus enters the body, it multiplies in the muscle tissue at the site of the bite before spreading through the peripheral nerves to the central nervous system (CNS). The journey from the bite site to the brain can take several days to a few weeks. During this time, the virus is able to evade the immune system by hiding within the nerve cells and traveling along the axons.
As the virus reaches the brain, it begins to replicate rapidly, leading to inflammation and damage to neurons. This neurological infection results in a variety of symptoms that can be categorized into two stages: the prodromal stage and the encephalitic or furious stage. The prodromal stage is characterized by non-specific symptoms such as fever, headache, and general malaise. It may also include itching or prickling sensations around the bite wound, which can be quite uncomfortable.
The encephalitic or furious stage follows, marked by more severe and specific neurological symptoms. These can include hydrophobia (fear of water), photophobia (fear of light), agitation, hallucinations, and paralysis. In some cases, patients may exhibit a form of rabies known as the paralytic or dumb stage, which is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and eventual paralysis.
Once symptoms appear, the prognosis for rabies is extremely poor. There is no proven treatment for rabies once clinical signs have developed, making prevention through vaccination before exposure a crucial step in managing this disease. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) involves thorough wound cleaning and administration of both rabies immunoglobulin and the rabies vaccine. Timely intervention can prevent the virus from reaching the CNS and developing into full-blown rabies.
In conclusion, contracting rabies from a dog bite is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate attention. The progression of the disease involves the spread of the virus through nerves to the brain, leading to neurological symptoms and, ultimately, death if left untreated. Prompt post-exposure prophylaxis is essential for preventing the onset of clinical rabies.