Rabies: Why does rabies spread through dog bites? Know how you can protect yourself from the dangerous virus

What to do if bitten by a dog: Nowadays the incidence of dog bites is increasing continuously, due to which parents are afraid of leaving their children alone in the park. Do you know how dangerous the rabies virus spread due to dog bite is for humans? 

World Rabies Day 2024:  Many of us are afraid of going close to dogs. Such fear is natural because often we get scared after hearing the news of dog bite. This is the reason why many times we do not allow our children to go alone to a place where stray dogs come and go. In the year 2023, a person's son in Ghaziabad adjacent to Delhi was bitten by a dog a month ago. Out of fear, the child did not inform anyone about this incident. After several days, changes started coming in his body and there came a time when saliva started dripping from the child's mouth and he became afraid of drinking water. The father of the victim child visited many hospitals but no one treated the innocent. The child died due to lack of treatment. Many parents were scared about this incident.

Why is rabies dangerous?

Dr. Imran Ahmed said that rabies is a disease that damages our central nervous system, sometimes it can prove fatal. Rabies literally means 'madness'. It spreads not only when bitten by dogs but also by many wild carnivorous animals. Not only humans but many warm-blooded animals are also sensitive to it.

How is the rabies virus spread?

The rabies virus is present in the salivary glands of dogs and many other animals. When dogs bite a human, this virus enters the body through the blood and then reaches the brain and affects the central nervous system. Then it spreads to the salivary glands of that person and causes foam in the mouth. This virus can show its colours anytime between 10 days to 8 months.

Effects of the rabies virus on humans

A person who is bitten by a dog or an animal with rabies may suffer from headache, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, nausea and stiffness in the muscles. The throat muscles of the victim become paralyzed due to which he is unable to swallow water, this is the reason why he becomes a victim of hydrophobia, which means fear of water. Not only this, it also causes death of the person due to respiratory failure and heart failure. 

What is the treatment for rabies?

There is no sure cure for rabies, but it can be avoided by taking some precautions. After a dog bite, you should immediately clean the wound so that it does not spread to the rest of the body. Apart from this, you will have to give anti-rabies serum within 24 hours, this injection gives ready-made antibodies against the antigen. If there is a delay in giving the serum, then it is difficult to save life. Apart from this, it is also necessary to give anti-rabies injection to pet dogs so that if they bite someone, its effect is not so dangerous.

When is World Rabies Day celebrated?

World Rabies Day is celebrated every year on 28 September, this is the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, the scientist who, along with his colleagues, developed the rabies vaccine. The purpose of World Rabies Day is to spread awareness about the effects of rabies on humans and animals.

(Disclaimer: Dear reader, thank you for reading this news. This news has been written only to make you aware. We have taken the help of home remedies and general information in writing this. If you read anything related to your health anywhere, then definitely consult a doctor before adopting it.)