People bitten by stray dogs adviced to seek immediate treatment

PETALING JAYA: With cases of people being bitten by stray dogs, public should be alert for symptoms of rabies which may be very similar to those of the flu including general weakness or discomfort, fever, headache, lack of appetite, vomiting which can last for days.
According to Deputy Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai people may also get a prickling or itching sensation at the site of bite which can develop within days to symptoms of cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, and agitation.
"Its important for those bitten by stray dogs to seek medical help as failure to do so may also see the disease progress with the victims experiencing delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, and insomnia.
The acute period of disease typically ends after 2 to 10 days. Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal, and treatment is typically supportive.
Dr Jeyaindran said the disease prevention includes administration of both passive antibody, through an injection of human immune globulin and a round of injections with rabies vaccine.
Once a person begins to exhibit signs of the disease, survival is rare.
According to the World health Organisation (WHO), rabies could lead to fatality and it is caused by a virus which is transmitted through saliva and travels to the brain causing swelling, or acute encephalitis.
Those suffering from rabies can also suffer restlessness, foaming at the mouth and hydrophobia or fear of water.