What is Rabies? | Rabies Day 28 September 2023 | Bemable

What is Rabies? | Bemable
What is Rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease that causes memory loss, hydrophobia (fear of water), and paralysis. If a person gets rabies, the virus attacks the brain and nerves. It can be spread through saliva or through contact with an infected animal's saliva, urine, or tissue.


Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is caused by a virus that can be transmitted to animals and people through contact with saliva or tissue from an infected animal. The symptoms of rabies include headache, fever, anxiety, confusion, and sleepiness. Once symptoms appear, it usually takes about a month for them to develop fully.


What is Rabies? | Bemable
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Stages Of Rabies

If a person gets rabies, they will experience symptoms similar to those listed above. 

The first stage of the illness is called prodromal rabies infection (PRI). 

After this stage has passed, there can be three more stages: 

central nervous system involvement (CNSI) 

paralytic and respiratory paralysis (PARP)

or death due to respiratory failure and cardiovascular collapse.

Symptoms Of Rabies

The first symptoms of rabies are 

  • Intense pain
  • Fever 
  • Headache
  • Irritability
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures 
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty swallowing.


If this happens during the first few days after getting infected with the virus, there's an 80% chance you'll die within 3 months.


The person will eventually become blind or deaf as well as paralyzed by the virus's effects on the nervous system. The most common symptom of rabies is fever—usually high fever but sometimes low fever. Suppose a person has been exposed to rabies through a bite or scratch from an infected animal (e.g., raccoons, skunks). In that case, they should go to the doctor immediately for treatment with antibiotics and antivirals such as acyclovir or famciclovir if they have had any exposure to these animals within the past two days. If they don't get treatment right away, they may develop seizures or die within hours or days after being bitten or scratched by an animal infected with rabies infection. The symptoms of rabies are very similar to other diseases, so it's essential for people to know what signs to look for in order to help prevent infection.


If left untreated, symptoms can last up to 6 months before they disappear completely—but they can come back if you get bitten by an infected animal again! If someone gets bitten by an infected animal and doesn't get treated right away, they'll usually only have mild symptoms at first before becoming paralyzed and dying within 2-3 weeks after they get infected.


Rabies Vaccination | Bemable
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Rabies Vaccination

Vaccines prevent most cases of rabies in humans and animals by giving you immunity against infection. You receive your first dose of vaccine at the age one-year-old and then again at four years old each time it's recommended by your doctor. If you know someone who has been bitten by an infected animal (like a skunk), ensure they get vaccinated immediately so they don't have to worry about contracting rabies themselves!


The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all people should receive a rabies vaccination when they are children or adults who have been exposed to bats or other suspected rabid animals in their area. A booster shot is recommended every 10 years after the initial vaccination.


The Centers for Disease Control recommends getting vaccinated against rabies if you live in one of these states: Alabama, Arkansas

Did you know that rabies is still a problem in the world today?

Well, it is! Rabies can be found in more than 75 countries, and there are an estimated 30,000 cases of human rabies every year. That's why we're celebrating Rabies Day 2023 to make aware people.


We want to celebrate this day by making sure that as many people as possible know about the importance of getting vaccinated against rabies. Because if we can prevent even one case of human rabies from taking hold in our bodies, then we'll all be one step closer to being able to enjoy life without fear of contracting this deadly disease.


If you live in a country where it's safe for you to get a vaccine—and I hope that's where you do—we want you to feel safe knowing that your body is protected against this terrible disease. And if you're already immunized against it and have already been diagnosed with rabies, then now is the time to spread the word!


Rabies is one of the deadliest diseases on Earth, but there's hope for those who survive.

In honor of National Rabies Awareness Month, we are celebrating the life-saving work that our RABBITS program does to help survivors thrive.

Happy Rabies Day |  Bemable
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Happy World Rabies Day!

September 28th, 2023 is the 17th World Rabies Day. This year's World Rabies Day theme is “One Health, Zero Death”. It will highlight the connection of the environment with both people and animals.


We're celebrating by reminding you not to forget the people who have been affected by rabies.


The symptoms of rabies are very similar to things like brain infections and meningitis. They can be confused with other diseases, and it's very easy for someone to get a false diagnosis if they don't have a clue about what's wrong with them.


These days, we're seeing new cases of rabies every day. The only way we can stop this is by educating people about the disease and ensuring they know how to identify it in their pets.


But remember: even if you haven't seen any symptoms, there's still always a chance your pet could become infected with rabies. So please keep up your vaccinations and keep an eye out for any red bumps or sores on your dog or cat—they could be symptoms of something more dangerous than just a cold sore!


We hope you're enjoying the cool weather and starting your holiday shopping early. If you're looking for some inspiration, check out these quotes about rabies:


"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the least thing that I can do."

 - Helen Keller


"Rabies is nothing more than a disease of the mind." 

- Winston Churchill


Conclusion

We hope you're doing everything you can to keep yourself safe from rabies, and we're sending a big thank-you for taking the time to read this. We know it can be a scary topic, but we hope that reading about how to protect yourself from the disease will help you feel more confident in your decision-making.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!


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