The vital thing to do immediately when bitten by an animal to avoid rabies

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Rabies is a dangerous, life-threatening disease. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), first aid and vaccination after being cut by an animal are very important and effective in preventing rabies.

1. Characteristics of rabies

Rabies is an infectious disease caused by the rabies virus, and is transmitted from animals to humans from the saliva of rabid animals to humans through cuts or abrasions on the human body.
Rabies can be transmitted from person to animal. However, there have been no reports of people with rabies biting a healthy person can transmit the disease.
Animals that can spread rabies are: Dogs, cats, civets, wolves and some other carnivores. Dogs are the main host responsible for 95% of human rabies deaths.
Rabies currently does not have a specific treatment, so rabies once the disease has developed, the mortality rate is almost 100%. Therefore, it is very important to give first aid to the wound and to vaccinate it after an animal bite or an open wound on the skin that comes in contact with the saliva of an animal suspected of having rabies or rabies.

2. What to do when bitten by an animal?

2.1 First aid for wounds

According to the World Health Organization WHO, immediately after being bitten by a dog or cat, any animal suspected of having rabies should be given first aid as follows:
The wound should be washed immediately with soap and under the water. The faucet runs continuously for about 10-15 minutes. If soap is not available, the wound can be washed with clean water under running water continuously for 15 minutes continuously. The first aid step is the most important and most effective way to prevent rabies. The wound is thoroughly washed with alcohol 70 degrees.

Then take the victim to the nearest medical facility for timely advice and treatment.

2.2 Vaccinate after being bitten

Assess the status of the victim to see if the victim has been vaccinated against tetanus before, if not, it may be necessary to receive a tetanus toxoid vaccine. Post-exposure rabies vaccination (PEP) is required if bitten by a dog, cat or other animal with rabies or suspected rabies. PEP is needed under the following conditions: If the bite causes skin abrasions and the wound bleeds, even a minor dog bite. If you have an open wound, contact with the saliva of a suspected rabies animal. If the animal: is dead, disappears, behaves abnormally, if the test results of brain material of a suspected rabies or rabid animal are positive, bites a person.

3. How to prevent rabies

To prevent rabies, it is necessary to take the following measures:
Get vaccinated against rabies every year for dogs and cats

When there is an open wound, avoid contact with saliva of dogs and cats. When bitten, you need to follow immediate steps and go to a medical facility for examination and vaccination. Wounds bitten by animals suspected of rabies should not be sutured, bandaged or covered with medicine. Rabies is a dangerous disease for which there is currently no specific treatment. Therefore, you should not be subjective when being cut by an animal, or lightly scratched by a dog.
Vinmec International General Hospital provides customers with rabies vaccination service with the following advantages:
Children will be examined and screened by pediatricians - vaccines. on health and fitness, advice on preventive vaccines and injection regimens, how to monitor and care for children after vaccination before giving an indication to vaccinate according to the latest recommendations of the Ministry of Health & Organization. World Health Organization to ensure the best effectiveness and safest for children.
A team of experienced and professional pediatric doctors and nurses, understand children's psychology and apply effective pain relief methods for children during the vaccination process.
100% of vaccinated children are monitored 30 minutes after vaccination and reassessed before leaving.
Be monitored before, during and after vaccination at Vinmec Health System and always have an emergency team ready to coordinate with the vaccination room to handle cases of anaphylaxis, respiratory failure - circulatory arrest, Ensure timely and correct handling when incidents occur.
Vaccination room is cool, with a play area, helping children feel comfortable as if they are walking and have a good mentality before and after vaccination.
Vaccines are imported and preserved in a modern cold storage system, with a cold chain that meets GSP standards, keeping vaccines in the best conditions to ensure quality.
Parents will receive a reminder message before the vaccination date and their child's vaccination information will be synchronized with the National Immunization Information System.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.