How to Treat a Human With Expected Rabies

Rabies is a serious disease that can be spread from an animal to a human through saliva. The virus can be cured in humans if caught in time. However, if the person has begun to show symptoms (such as fever, hallucinations, confusion, fear of water and paralysis), he mostly will die. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to treat a person who has been exposed to rabies rapidly. Rabies treatment must be administered by health professionals.

Instructions

Caring for the Wound

• 1

  Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Most cases of rabies are transmitted through a bite. Irrigating and cleansing the bite properly can reduce the chance of infection.

• 2

  Get to a doctor or emergency room immediately. Health professionals will cleanse the bite with a disinfectant, such as a povidone-iodine solution.

• 3

  Allow a physician to inspect the wound for cleanliness and signs of tissue or bone damage. You also may need a tetanus shot if you do not have a current one, as well as antibiotics to further prevent infection.

Rabies Treatment

• 4

  Receive initial injections of Human Rabies Immune Globulin at the site of the wound and in the hip for fast acting protection against rabies infection. If you have been previously vaccinated against rabies, you won't have to receive this initial injection but will need some of the later vaccinations in the following steps.

• 5

  Receive follow up vaccinations in your arm for protection against rabies on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28 following the event.

• 6

  Report the event to the proper authorities. Your doctor can do this for you. If possible, the animal will be either euthanized or quarantined for observation (in cases of domesticated animals if rabies is only suspected and not known absolutely).