Rabies symptoms and treatment

The world is flat, earth is the center of the universe; and rabies occurs spontaneously in dogs during the months of July and August. These are all, of course, myths, but at one time people believed these fallacies to be truths.

The last fallacy in the list, regarding rabies in animals, is where the phrase “The dog days of summer” comes from.

However, thanks to advances in modern medicine, it is clear rabies does not occur spontaneously. It is transferred via saliva and infected tissue, usually from a bite wound, and affects all species of mammals with the primary sources of infection in the Phoenix area being skunks and bats.

Three positively identified rabid skunks were found in the Maricopa/Hidden Valley area on the west side of the 347 in April and May of this year.

If bitten, rabies causes neurological disease and death within 10 days from the time the victim starts showing signs.The incubation period, time from bite to appearance of abnormal signs, is normally about 2-8 weeks, but it can extend up to eight months.

Signs of rabies in animals include: lack of fear of humans, wobbly gait, excessive drooling, dilated pupils and aggression. It is wise to be cautious of stray dogs and cats, especially wild animals with no fear of people, and report any suspicious animals to the proper authorities.

Very few humans have survived the disease once they started showing symptoms. The most recent case was a teenage girl in Wisconsin who was bitten by a bat. She survived after extensive experimental treatment by pediatric doctors at the University of Wisconsin. The bite was not immediately reported and, therefore, post-exposure treatment was never initiated.

The most common exposure source for humans is bites from bats. In the U.S. more than 40 humans have been exposed via bats.

For humans who are exposed to rabid animals, a post-exposure treatment should be initiated immediately.

File photo