Cures for Rabies

Rabies has long been controlled by extensive vaccination protocols on a huge scale. Cases are quite rare, but when exposure does occur, it should be viewed as a serious medical emergency; failure to treat an exposure is often fatal. Treatment is available, however, and should be complied with fully.

Post Exposure

• Once exposed to the rabies virus, time is of the essence. According to the Centers for Disease Control, thoroughly cleaning the wound or bite from the infected animal dramatically decreases the likelihood of contracting the virus. To clean the wound, promptly run it under running water to remove any traces of saliva or blood. Use soap and water to wash the area. A povidone-iodine solution, if available, is even better, as its antiseptic qualities will better cleanse the wound. Povidone-iodine is available at most drugstores and in many pre-made first aid kits, which can be purchased over the counter. Scrub the area for at least 5 minutes.
  The next step is to administer a dose of human rabies immune globulin (RIG). RIG is the body's natural immune response to the attacking virus. RIG is available in most emergency rooms and should be administered as soon after exposure as possible to prevent the virus from taking hold in the body. The large dose of RIG holds the virus at bay while the body mounts its own immune response with the help of vaccinations.
  The last step after exposure is to receive several doses of the rabies vaccine---at 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days post exposure. Receiving these vaccines ensures that the body continues to actively build antibodies against the virus, ensuring that all traces of it are destroyed by the stimulated antibodies. It is important to give the first rabies vaccine dose as soon after exposure as possible to allow the body to begin mounting a response to the virus. Typically, cleaning the exposure site, receiving RIG and receiving doses of vaccine are enough to ward off the virus. The key is preventing the virus from taking hold; once this occurs, it is usually fatal.

Prevention

• The best treatment against rabies is prevention. Even if the reported incidences in your area are low or zero, vaccinating livestock and family pets is still a good idea. Domestic animals and livestock have a far higher chance of running into a wild animal that potentially has the disease, as these animals can spend a lot of time outdoors. People living in high-risk areas with many reported cases of rabies should consider being vaccinated themselves. If you are unsure of the risk level in your area, contact the CDC. This agency keeps track of all reported cases and can determine your personal risk based on location and your activities that might bring you into contact with the disease.