If i had all those symptoms before the feral cat bit me? I have a stiff neck and headache because my bad matress. Do i have to go to my doctor
2006-10-20 03:24:01 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
***************What are the symptoms?
Signs of rabies in animals may include having excessive saliva or sometimes foaming at the mouth, paralysis, or behavioral changes in your pet (such as shyness when the pet was friendly) or no fear of humans in a wild animal.
Rabies infection in humans begins with vague symptoms such as fever, cough, or sore throat followed in several days by more serious and rapidly progressing symptoms such as restlessness, hallucinations, and seizures. The final stage is coma and death.
The incubation period—the time from exposure to the rabies virus until symptoms appear—is usually 4 to 6 weeks. In rare cases, the incubation period can last from several days to more than a year after exposure to the virus.
If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to the rabies virus, it is important to seek medical attention before symptoms develop. Rabies is nearly always fatal if not treated before the appearance of symptoms.
**********How is rabies diagnosed?
Rabies in humans can be difficult to diagnose. Tests that can help include:
Direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test. This common, rapid test detects the rabies virus protein. DFA testing is done by taking a sample of tissue from the potentially affected area.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. This test detects the genetic material (DNA) of the rabies virus proteins. PCR testing is very accurate and can be done on saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, or tissue.
Diagnosis in animals also is difficult. Animals that display abnormal behavior often are assumed to be rabid. The risk that an animal is infected with the rabies virus is based on:
The type of animal. Some animals are more likely to carry rabies than others. Bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes are common carriers of the rabies virus.
The behavior of the animal, such as excessive drooling or aggression.
Risk for rabies in a specific geographic area. For more information, contact your local health department.
The date of the animal's last rabies vaccination.
*******************Can rabies be treated?
Once rabies symptoms appear, the disease progresses rapidly, and there is no cure. If medical treatment is provided before symptoms develop, the virus almost always is eliminated before it can cause serious damage. Medical treatment for rabies includes:
Thorough cleansing of the area of exposure (bite, scratch, or open sore).
Postexposure vaccinations.
Any animal bite or area of exposure should be washed with soap and water immediately. Visit a health professional to find out whether additional care is needed. Your doctor and local health department can help determine your risk of exposure to rabies. Rabies vaccinations will be administered promptly if the risk of exposure to the virus is high.
PLEASE GO TO THE DOCTOR
I HOPE IS JUST A FALSE ALARM
Good Luck!
2006-10-20 03:41:35 · answer #1 · answered by marcela_ipa 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The period between infection and the first flu-like symptoms is normally 3–12 weeks, but can be as long as two years. Soon after, the symptoms expand to cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, agitation, abnormal behaviour, hallucinations, progressing to delirium. The production of large quantities of saliva and tears coupled with an inability to speak or swallow are typical during the later stages of the disease; this can result in "hydrophobia". Death almost invariably results 2–10 days after the first symptoms; the handful of people who are known to have survived the disease were all left with severe brain damage.
It would be best to see a doctor, immediately, to be on the safe side.
2006-10-20 10:33:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you seriously believe you might have rabies you should have already seen a doctor. if this happened 3 or 4 days ago it's probably too late anyway. YOU DON'T SCREW WITH RABIES.
2006-10-20 10:27:23 · answer #3 · answered by peckerwud2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go to the Doctor and get tested. Was the cat sent off for testing? If not then make sure you are.
2006-10-20 10:26:32 · answer #4 · answered by saved_by_grace 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait and see if you start foaming at the mouth, cujo.
2006-10-20 10:25:26 · answer #5 · answered by Ralley 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yep.. definitely.. go have yourself tested and that infernal cat of course... :) oh, and be careful if you start disliking water so much.. you can't even bear to be sprinkled with it.. hehe that means you're on your last days..
2006-10-20 10:30:34 · answer #6 · answered by doc_maldita 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
UNTREATED RABIES IS 100% FATAL.
Decide for yourself.
2006-10-20 14:04:11 · answer #7 · answered by Eve 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'd go NOW...because if you start foaming at the mouth then it's too late
2006-10-20 10:26:28 · answer #8 · answered by Phil 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes. now go Cujo
2006-10-20 10:26:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋