medicall_editor Cure for Rabies in Humans: Can Rabies be Cured After Symptoms Occur?
Cure for rabies in humans involves an injection of rabies vaccine, it is meant to be given as a deterrent against the rabies virus.
Rabies is an infectious disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans caused by the rabies virus. This disease is usually transmitted through contact with the animal’s saliva when the infected animals bite or scratch someone. In many cases, dogs are mostly the cause of rabies transmission. However, animals such as cats, bats, raccoons, and monkeys may also carry this virus and transmit it to humans. People with a high risk of having rabies are suggested to be vaccinated, such as animal farmers, veterinarians, and other professions that make direct contact with animals. In addition, the rabies vaccine is also recommended for foreigners traveling to areas with high rabies exposure, for example, Bali.
Further treatment should be taken if a person is bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies, an infected patient is advised to be vaccinated immediately so the virus doesn’t spread to the brain and nervous system. Rabies infection can be fatal if it’s left unchecked. If the virus reaches the brain, it will be very dangerous because, at this point, death is inevitable. Therefore, early treatment and getting rabies vaccination after infected is necessary to avoid this condition. The cure for rabies in humans still can be effective as long as the virus has not spread to the brain and nervous system. A doctor will give an indicated rabies vaccine for the infected patient to prevent worse conditions.
Rabies Symptoms in Humans
Typically, a person will not immediately feel any symptoms. Rabies symptoms may occur around 4-12 weeks or 35-65 days after the person is bitten by an infected animal. Early symptoms of rabies are sometimes difficult for people to notice because they are similar to flu symptoms. These symptoms include fever, headache, muscle weakness, and tingling sensation (paresthesia). The time between exposure and symptoms’ appearance is called the incubation period. This period of time may vary depending on factors such as the location of the wound and the person’s immunity.
Common rabies symptoms in humans include high fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, insomnia, rheumatic pain and tingling sensation in the bitten area. People infected with the rabies virus will also feel itchy, even sore in the infected wound site. Other rabies symptoms in humans that follow are hallucinations and anxieties. People infected with the rabies virus may also experience confusion, hallucinations, and anxiety. Below are the symptoms of rabies in humans:
- Tingling sensation (paresthesia), Itchy in the wound site;
- Fever, headache;
- Muscle pain;
- Nausea;
- Vomiting;
- Loss of appetite;
- Sore throat, difficulty swallowing;
- Anxious;
- Insomnia;
- Hallucinations;
- Excessive drooling;
- Anger, irritability, and depression;
- Hyperactivity;
- Fear of water;
- Fear of light.
Rabies Vaccine as the Cure for Rabies in Humans
If a person got bitten by an infected animal, getting a cure for rabies in humans is highly important. Further medical treatment should be done immediately to avoid the condition from becoming fatal. The most appropriate cure for rabies in humans is by getting a rabies vaccine. Before getting vaccinated, note that the wound site should be washed first with soap under running water for 10-15 minutes. Afterward, apply an antiseptic like povidone-iodine and go to a doctor and seek medical help to get a rabies vaccine.
A doctor will give the infected person Anti-Rabies Vaccine (VAR) or Anti-Rabies Serum (SAR) as a cure for rabies in humans depending on the person’s condition. Anti-Rabies Vaccine (VAR) has a function to stimulate the rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies. The vaccine can be given for rabies prevention / before exposure (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and to people who are already infected with the virus / after exposure (post-exposure prophylaxis). On the other hand, Anti-Rabies Serum (SAR) is a passive immunization composed of Rabies Immunoglobulin. It will immediately neutralize antibodies before the immune system is ready to produce its own antibodies that occur 7-14 days after VAR is given. Usually, SAR is given once at the beginning of vaccination. SAR injections are necessary for patients with deep/large wound, multiple wounds, wound that has to be sewn, or scratches contaminated with the animal’s saliva.
Can Rabies Be Cured After Symptoms Occur?
Rabies vaccine as the cure for rabies in humans can prevent the virus from spreading to the brain and cause death. Vaccines are best given immediately after exposure before any symptoms appear so the virus doesn’t spread throughout the body. If early symptoms already occur, rabies still can be treated with vaccination to prevent it from spreading to the brain. If clinical symptoms of rabies begin to appear, the condition is nearly always fatal and giving vaccines will be a supportive treatment. However, there’s a possibility that the virus has reached the brain and will potentially cause death. Therefore, if you got bitten by an animal suspected of carrying the rabies virus, it is suggested to immediately get vaccinated as the cure for rabies in humans before symptoms occur.
Get rabies vaccination service through Medi-Call Application or contact Medi-Call Hotline at +62 81210783387. A doctor will come directly to your location and perform the vaccination.
