Impact of the Rabies Virus:
Risks and Preventative Measures for Health and Safety
Megan Goebel
MMI 133
Dr. Judy Gnarpe
It is uncommon today to not have a pet as a family member or have zero contact with animals. Due to this increasing trend, it is important to be aware of the risks from zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted to humans. As a new owner, I was given the opportunity to learn from a veterinarian about the health of my pet and common diseases that are preventable with great quality care such as vaccines and effective regimes. One disease that my veterinarian discussed besides the usual pests that normally harm your pet was rabies. Rabies has been documented for thousands of years in cases where patients showed symptoms of disease …show more content…
After this varying incubation period the host will exhibit beginning symptoms similar to many other viral infections in the prodrome stage.7 These symptoms are often: pain in the region of the bite/wound, malaise, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, exhaustion, drooling, change in behaviour, etc.7 Due to its similarities in symptoms to other viral infections (such as the influenza virus), rabies is often misdiagnosed in its beginning stages, allowing the disease to progress to further complications. For this reason, it is important to seek treatment and advice from a medical professional after an animal has bitten you as a safety precaution. The viral infection in humans can be divided into two progressive forms known as furious (encephalitic) and dumb (paralytic) rabies.7 Furious rabies is seen in 80% of diagnosed cases where the individual shows symptoms of hydrophobia; a symptom where the person is afraid of water due to the pain of drinking and swallowing which also increases the amount of infectious saliva.2 This form also gives rise to hyperventilation and seizures. With dumb rabies, deliria partnered with paralysis are often where the individual looses control of limbs and muscles that are needed for speech and the control of visceral organs.2 Late effects of the disease for encephalitic rabies gives this one form its name, due to the decline of the individual when inflammation of the brain ensues. Both forms also give rise to complications of cardiac and respiratory failure, either from the paralysis of the muscles or the viral infection wreaking havoc on the autonomic nervous system. Before death, a coma sets in and the patient will be deceased within a few
Risks and Preventative Measures for Health and Safety
Megan Goebel
MMI 133
Dr. Judy Gnarpe
It is uncommon today to not have a pet as a family member or have zero contact with animals. Due to this increasing trend, it is important to be aware of the risks from zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted to humans. As a new owner, I was given the opportunity to learn from a veterinarian about the health of my pet and common diseases that are preventable with great quality care such as vaccines and effective regimes. One disease that my veterinarian discussed besides the usual pests that normally harm your pet was rabies. Rabies has been documented for thousands of years in cases where patients showed symptoms of disease …show more content…
After this varying incubation period the host will exhibit beginning symptoms similar to many other viral infections in the prodrome stage.7 These symptoms are often: pain in the region of the bite/wound, malaise, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, exhaustion, drooling, change in behaviour, etc.7 Due to its similarities in symptoms to other viral infections (such as the influenza virus), rabies is often misdiagnosed in its beginning stages, allowing the disease to progress to further complications. For this reason, it is important to seek treatment and advice from a medical professional after an animal has bitten you as a safety precaution. The viral infection in humans can be divided into two progressive forms known as furious (encephalitic) and dumb (paralytic) rabies.7 Furious rabies is seen in 80% of diagnosed cases where the individual shows symptoms of hydrophobia; a symptom where the person is afraid of water due to the pain of drinking and swallowing which also increases the amount of infectious saliva.2 This form also gives rise to hyperventilation and seizures. With dumb rabies, deliria partnered with paralysis are often where the individual looses control of limbs and muscles that are needed for speech and the control of visceral organs.2 Late effects of the disease for encephalitic rabies gives this one form its name, due to the decline of the individual when inflammation of the brain ensues. Both forms also give rise to complications of cardiac and respiratory failure, either from the paralysis of the muscles or the viral infection wreaking havoc on the autonomic nervous system. Before death, a coma sets in and the patient will be deceased within a few