What to do if bitten by a dog or cat?

The only way to save someone bitten by a rabid animal is to administer rabies vaccine and antiserum as soon as possible. Once rabies symptoms appear, 100% of patients die.

Rabies primarily affects warm-blooded animals such as dogs and cats. Humans contract rabies from bites or scratches caused by infected dogs or cats. The saliva from these infected animals transmits the rabies virus to humans through bites, scratches, or other abrasions on the skin.

To date, both modern and traditional medicine confirm that rabies, once symptoms appear, is fatal. Clinical manifestations of rabies in humans include fear of wind, fear of water, convulsions, paralysis, and red eyes. The incubation period is usually 10-120 days, depending on the location of the bite and the virulence of the rabies virus.

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The only and most effective way to treat individuals bitten by animals or exposed to the rabies virus is to administer rabies vaccination and anti-rabies serum as soon as possible. Self-treatment with unproven remedies should be avoided as it can be life-threatening.

Proper and timely rabies vaccination is essential to help people avoid unfortunate consequences that can occur when bitten by dogs or cats. The following are some important points to help you understand and correctly administer rabies vaccination.

Dr. Dinh Kim Xuyen, Deputy Head of the Rabies Prevention Program, advises that when bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies, first aid should be administered and vaccinations should be given immediately. After examination and thorough questioning, the doctor will determine whether or not vaccination is necessary. Immediate vaccination is required if:

- The animal is having seizures or showing signs of suspected rabies.

- Bites on the head, face, neck, extremities, or genitals, even if only minor abrasions.

- There are many dangerous, deep bites.

- The animal could not be tracked.

- There was a rabid animal at the bite site.

In the following cases, the veterinarian will not administer the injection but will instruct the patient to monitor the animal for 15 days:

- The bite was minor and far from the brain.

The animal is still alive and well.

No cases of rabies have been detected in animals in the area.

According to Dr. Xuyen, in many cases of dog bites outside of jeans, even if there are scratches on the skin, vaccination is not necessary because the virus has not entered the body. During the monitoring period, if the animal becomes sick, stops eating, dies, goes missing, or is sold or slaughtered, then vaccination is needed. After 15 days, if it is still alive and healthy, you can rest assured.

How to get a rabies vaccination correctly?

- For people bitten by dogs without bleeding: According to MSc. Nguyen Kien Cuong, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, for people in areas where rabies is prevalent, rabies vaccination should be given and the dog should be monitored. If the dog does not die after 10 days, the treatment should be changed from post-exposure prophylaxis to pre-exposure prophylaxis.

In areas where rabies is not prevalent, you should monitor your dog for 10 days. If the dog dies, you should get vaccinated immediately. If the dog survives, you do not need to get vaccinated.

- People who have been vaccinated against rabies and are bitten by a domestic dog: For those who have been vaccinated against rabies, if bitten by a domestic dog, the body still has effective antibodies to protect against rabies, so re-vaccination may not be necessary.

If antibody levels are found to be below the protective threshold and the animal is suspected of having rabies, a booster shot is necessary. Monitor the animal for 10 days; if it does not die, vaccination is not needed. If the dog becomes ill, seek immediate medical attention and advice from a local preventive health facility.

- Regarding dog bites on young children: According to Master's degree holder Nguyen Kien Cuong, if the animal shows no signs of rabies after 10 days of observation, rabies vaccination is not immediately necessary.

If the dog is unvaccinated, you can vaccinate the child against rabies immediately while observing the animal for 10 days. If the animal does not die, stop the vaccination or switch from post-exposure prophylaxis to pre-exposure prophylaxis.

- For pregnant women bitten by dogs or cats: Pregnant women often have weaker immune systems. If the dog or cat has not been vaccinated against rabies, they should be immediately taken to a Preventive Medicine Center for rabies vaccination suitable for pregnant women.

How to care for yourself after receiving a rabies vaccination.

- Avoid overworking and maintain good health for daily life and work. Get enough sleep and avoid staying up too late.

- Absolutely no alcohol, beer, or stimulants during the vaccination period. Ensure a proper diet.

- Do not use corticosteroids, ACTH, or immunosuppressants during and for 6 months after rabies vaccination.

- If, after vaccination, you experience side effects such as itching, swelling, and pain at the injection site; general fatigue, aches and pains, dizziness, fever, joint pain, allergic reactions, etc., you should immediately go to a medical facility for timely treatment.

According to Infonet