How to detect rabies
Rabies is a fatal infectious disease caused by the rabies virus and is mainly spread through bites or scratches from infected animals. Due to its high fatality rate, early diagnosis and prevention are crucial. This article will introduce in detail the examination methods, diagnostic procedures and related data of rabies to help everyone better understand this disease.
1. Clinical manifestations of rabies
The incubation period for rabies is usually 1-3 months, but can be as short as a few days or as long as years. Clinical symptoms are divided into the following stages:
| stage | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| prodromal stage | Fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, wound pain or itching |
| acute neurological phase | Anxiety, hallucinations, hydrophobia, difficulty swallowing |
| paralysis period | Muscle paralysis, coma, respiratory failure |
2. Testing methods for rabies
The diagnosis of rabies mainly relies on clinical symptoms, epidemiological history and laboratory tests. The following are common inspection methods:
| Check method | Description |
|---|---|
| Direct fluorescent antibody assay (DFA) | Detection of viral antigens in brain tissue or saliva is the gold standard for diagnosis |
| RT-PCR | Detection of viral RNA, suitable for early diagnosis |
| Serological testing | Detection of antibody levels, suitable for post-vaccination assessment |
| Brain biopsy | High-risk procedure, used only for postmortem diagnosis |
3. Diagnosis process of rabies
When a patient is bitten by a suspected rabid animal, the following procedures should be followed for diagnosis and treatment:
| steps | Operation |
|---|---|
| 1. Wound treatment | Immediately rinse with soapy water and running water for 15 minutes and disinfect |
| 2. Vaccination | Get rabies vaccine (post-exposure prophylaxis) as soon as possible |
| 3. Immunoglobulin injection | Severely exposed persons require rabies immunoglobulin injections |
| 4. Laboratory testing | If symptoms occur, undergo DFA or RT-PCR testing |
4. Preventive measures against rabies
Once rabies occurs, the mortality rate is close to 100%, so prevention is crucial:
| measures | Description |
|---|---|
| pet vaccinations | Regularly vaccinate cats and dogs against rabies |
| Avoid contact with wild animals | Do not actively come into contact with high-risk animals such as bats and foxes |
| Prompt treatment after exposure | Seek medical attention immediately after being bitten and get vaccinated |
5. Summary
The diagnosis of rabies relies on clinical symptoms and laboratory testing, and early identification and prevention are key. Once bitten by a suspicious animal, be sure to clean the wound immediately and get vaccinated to avoid tragedy. The public should raise awareness of prevention and ensure pets are vaccinated to reduce the risk of rabies transmission.
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