Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
R A B I E S
FAST FACTS
DEFINITION:
An acute infectious disease of warm-blooded
animals characterized by involvement of the
nervous system resulting in death. It is caused by
the RABIES VIRUS, a rhabdovirus of the genus
lyssavirus.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION:
It is commonly communicated to man through the saliva
of an infected mammal by an exposure to an open
break in the skin such as bites or scratch and
inhalation of infectious aerosols such as from bats.
In some cases, it is transmitted through organ
transplants (corneal transplant), from an infected
person.
MEDIA OF TRANSMISSION:
Through saliva, tears, urine, serum, liquor and other body
fluids.
INCUBATION PERIOD:
The period between the exposure to the virus to the
occurrence of the first symptom, is usually 2-8
weeks. It may be as short as 4 days or as long as
2 years depending on depth of laceration and site of
wound. The virus moves along nerve axons
passively about 3 millimeters per hour. It is not
known how the virus remains viable or where it is
located during prolonged incubation period.
DIAGNOSIS:
There is yet no way of immediately segregating those
who had acquired rabies infection from those who had been
bitten by non-rabid sources. No tests are available to diagnose
rabies in humans before the onset of clinical disease. The
most reliable test for rabies in patients who have clinical signs
of the disease is DIRECT IMMUNOFLUORESCENT STUDY of a
full thickness biopsy of the skin taken from the back of the
neck above the hair line.
The RAPID FLUORESCENT FOCUS INHIBITION TEST is
used to measure rabies-neutralizing antibodies in
serum. This test has the advantage of providing
results within 24 hours. Other tests of antibodies
may take as long as 14 days.
True rabies must be distinguished from
RABIES HYSTERIA, a psychological condition
in persons who think they have been bitten
by a rabid animal. In such cases, a patient
ordinarily attempts to emulate convulsive
seizures. Patient receiving rabies vaccine
treatment may develop paralysis
attributable to a sensitization caused by the
rabbit brain material in the vaccine. This
paralysis may simulate paralytic rabies and
may produce symptoms referable to cranial
nerves, such as difficulty swallowing,
paralysis of the masseter muscles and
unilateral or bilateral facial paralysis.
Encephalitis without paralysis may be
caused by the vaccine treatment and in such
cases the disease begins with high fever and
headache with may be followed by
convulsions and coma.
I.EPIDEMIOLOGY
II. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Rabies virus
Incubation period
Entry into break in skin
(4 days – 2 years)
(bites, abrasions, mucosa)
§ Pain
§ Fever
INV A SION § Headache
PHA SE § Malaise
Ø Imminent thoraco- § Sore throat
lumbar involvement § Anorexia
(PNS): Pupillary § Increased sensitivity
dilation, lacrimation,
Ø increased thick saliva
production / foaming
of mouth, excessive
perspiration EX CITEM ENT
Ø Anxiety & fear PHA SE Ø Gradual weakness of muscle groups: muscle
Ø Hydrophobia spasms cease , ocular palsy, vertigo, facial &
Ø Pronounced muscular masseter palsy, weakness of muscles of
stimulation & general phonation, loss of tendon reflexes, neck stiffness
tremor Ø (+)Babinski [lesions at pyramidal tract], (-)
Ø Mania & Kernig’s, (-) Brudzinski’s
hallucinations with Ø HR shifting from tachycardia (100-120) to
lucid intervals bradycardia (40-60)
Ø Convulsions Ø Cheyne-Stokes respiration
Ø Local sensation diminshed (pain, heat, cold)
PA RA LY TIC Ø Incoordination
PHA SE Ø General arousal
( D EPRESSIO N PHASE) Ø Bladder & intestinal retention (damage to the
innervation of the musculature of intestine &
bladder)
Ø Hydrophobia disappear but with slight difficulty
swallowing
insomecases, patientshowsperiodofrecovery,
this apparentremissionis followedbyrapid
progressive paralysis
Ø Ascending paralysis,flaccid paralysis of
coma extremities until it reaches the respiratory muscle
Ø Apathy, stupor
Death
IV. MANAGEMENT
A. PREVENTION
1. Responsible pet ownership
a) pet immunization, esp. cats, usually
starting at 3 months of age and every year
thereafter
b) don’t allow pets to roam around the streets
c) take care of your pets, keep them in good
health – bathe, feed with clean adequate food
and provide clean sleeping quarters
C. NURSING INTERVENTIONS
1. HIGH RISK FOR INFECTION TRANSMISSION
§ provide patient isolation
§ handwashing. Wash hands before and after each
patient contact and following procedures that
offer contamination risk while caring for an
individual patient. Handwashing technique is
important in reducing transient flora on outer
epidermal layers of skin.
§ Wear gloves when handling fluids and other
potential contaminated articles. Dispose of
every after patient care. Gloves provide effective
barrier protection. Contaminated gloves
becomes a potential vehicle for the transfer of
organisms.
§ Practice isolation techniques. To prevent self-
contamination and spread of disease.
SOURCE:
Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary 17th Edition. 1994. Singapore:
Davis Company.
CATEGORY I
a. Feeding/ touching an animal
b. Licking of intact skin (w/ reliable history and thorough
physical examination)
c. Exposure to patient with signs and symptoms of rabies
by sharing of eating or drinking utensils *
d. Casual contact to patient with signs and symptoms of
rabies*
Management:
1. Wash exposed skin immediately w/ soap and water
2. No vaccine or RIG needed
CATEGORY II
a. Nibbling/ nipping of uncovered skin with bruising
b. Minor scratches/ abrasions without bleeding**
c. Licks on broken skin
Management:
CATEGORY III
a. Transdermal bites or scratches ( to include puncture
wounds, lacerations, avulsions)
b. Contamination of mucous membrane with saliva (i.e.
licks)
c. Exposure to a rabies patient through bites,
contamination of mucous membranes or open skin
lesions with body fluids (except blood/feces) through
splattering, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, licks of the
eyes, lips, vulva, sexual activity, exchanging kisses on
the mouth or other direct mucous membrane contact
with saliva.
d. Handling of infected carcass or ingestion of raw infected
meat
e. All Category II exposures on head and neck area
*Does not include sharing of food/ drink/ utensils and casual contact
with rabid patient
Management:
3. Vaccination
- Updated 2- Site Intradermal Schedule
- Standard IM Schedule
2. Supportive Care
Patients with confirmed rabies should receive adequate
sedation and comfort care in an appropriate medical
facility.
3. Infection Control