What is rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system. It is transmitted from infected animals to man and usually causes death once symptoms appear.

Who gets rabies?
All mammals (warm-blooded animals) including man are susceptible to rabies.

How is rabies spread to humans?
Rabies is almost always contracted by exposure to a rabid animal. The exposure is nearly always through a bite, but rabies can also be transmitted if a rabid animal scratches a person or if its saliva comes into contact with broken skin. It is important to note that in non-developed countries, dogs are the main source of the rabies virus, however, in the U.S. and other developed nations, bats and wild animals become the major concern due to an active vaccination programs for pets.

What are the symptoms of rabies?
Early symptoms may include irritability, headache, fever and itching or pain at the exposure site. It is important to note that by the time any symptoms appear, rabies often cannot be successfully treated. Therefore, evaluation by a medical provider is essential for anyone suffering from any kind of animal bite or scratch, especially in deployed settings.

Is a human able to spread rabies?
Person to person transmission is extremely rare; however, precautions should be taken to prevent exposure to the saliva of the infected person.

What is the treatment for an animal bite or scratch?
The most effective treatment to prevent rabies or other infections is immediate and thorough cleansing of the wound with liberal amounts of soap and water. All wounds should be evaluated by a medical provider for risk of rabies. If warranted, the medical provider may treat the patient with an injection of rabies immune globulin and begin a rabies vaccine series.

What should I do if an animal bites or scratches me?
Immediately clean the wound with large amounts of water and promptly seek medical attention. Secure the animal if possible without sustaining any additional injuries. The animal should be turned over to a veterinarian for evaluation. A medical provider will evaluate the injury for rabies risk and other potential infections. If your medical provider believes the risk of rabies to be significant enough to treat, you’ll be given a series of vaccinations over a two-week period. This treatment is extremely effective but must be started as soon as possible after the injury.