Mexico City.- A couple of days ago, the Ministry of Health issued an epidemiological notice on human rabies, as it warned that cases have been reported in recent months. So it alerted the entire population in general.
The Ssa announced that it will be of vital importance to see a doctor immediately, and in case of facing an attack by any animal such as: dog, cat, bat, among others. In this sense, here we will remember how rabies is transmitted and what are the main symptoms in a sick person.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this disease is present on all continents and affects more than 150 countries. It is also responsible for the death of at least 60 thousand deaths a year globally, in most cases the dog is the source of transmission.
How is it transmitted?
A person can become infected with the virus through contact with the saliva of the sick animal, without there being bites involved. And it is that only a wound, scratch, deep scratch or burn on your skin will suffice to come into contact with the saliva of the animal with rabies for it to be infected and when the virus penetrates it will go to the nervous system.
It is important to note that the inoculation time will vary according to the nature of the virus, as well as the place and quantity. For example, if the contact was on the head, neck or upper limbs, the incubation period will be shorter, because the virus will reach the central nervous system more quickly (mainly through the nerve trunks, spreading along the nerves). sensory nerves). The host cells are destroyed.
In the event that the animal bites or attacks through the victim’s clothing, only a small amount of contaminated saliva will reach the wound, which can delay the affectation process.
What are the symptoms?
-The first sign of contagion is mild fever (38°C).
-Headache.
-Nervous breakdown.
-The temperature can rise up to 40 or 42 degrees.
-Painful spasms in the larynx.
-Breathing and swallowing with difficulty.
-Spasms in the muscles of the trunk and extremities are also common, intermittently and accompanied by generalized tremors.
-Tachycardia.
-Any type of excitation (light, sound, air, etc.) can cause them
-The infected person becomes hydrophobic when they see or try to drink water.
-Frequently experiences attacks of terror and nervous depression.
-Tends to vociferation and screams.
-Aggressiveness.
-Visual and auditory hallucinations.
-Slime.
-Delirium.
After a few days the stage of paralysis will follow. In these cases, the following symptoms may occur.
– Flaccid paralysis of the face, tongue, swallowing muscles, eyes and limbs.
According to the Ssa, whatever the type of rabies, the condition presents an inexorably fatal evolution for the patient.
According to the recent alert of contagion cases detected in Mexico, the first situation was detected in a dog in the state of Sonora, nine people who had risky contact with the infected animal are being followed up. The antigenic characterization identified is the V7 variant associated with the gray fox, which confirms that the dog was attacked by a wildlife animal that infected it with rabies. (Taken from Infobae)
