Rabies is a zoonotic disease, which is a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. Rabies infection can attack the central nervous system caused by Lyssavirus. The main animals that cause the spread of rabies are cats, dogs, bats and monkeys. The rabies virus can be transmitted through saliva, bites or scratches and licks on broken skin by animals infected with rabies. Animals at high risk for transmitting rabies are generally wild animals or pets that have not received the rabies vaccine.

Symptoms of Rabies:
The incubation period for the rabies virus ranges from 4-12 weeks, after the incubation period a person infected with the rabies virus will experience:
• Flu-like symptoms & fever
• Muscle weakness, tingling or burning sensation in the bite area
• Pain or headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Feeling agitated, confused or threatened for no apparent reason
•    Hyperactive
• Hallucinations
• Insomnia or sleep disturbances
• Difficulty swallowing when eating or drinking.
 
Rabies Complications:
Once the symptoms appear, you can be sure that the rabies virus has infected the brain so that the patient's condition can deteriorate rapidly. As a result, sufferers can experience the following complications:
      • Respiratory failure
      • Comma
      • Cardiac arrest
      •    Death

Several Ways to Handle Rabies Transmission Animal Bite Wounds:
1. If you experience active bleeding, press the injured area with a clean cloth or gauze to stop the bleeding.
2. Wash the bite wound immediately with running water and soap for 15 minutes and then apply an antiseptic.
3. Immediately taken to the hospital to wash the wound again and get the Anti Rabies Vaccine (VAR) and Anti Rabies Serum (SAR), treating the wound as soon as possible is effective in preventing symptoms and death.

Measures to prevent infection with the Rabies Virus are by reducing the risk factors, as follows:
1. Vaccinating pets against rabies.
2. Maintain contact with animals that have the potential to have the rabies virus.
3. Keep pets from interacting with wild or foreign animals.
4. Report to the health officer if you meet a person or animal that has symptoms of rabies.
5. Prevent other animals that have the potential to spread rabies from entering the house.

Writer :
dr. Luh Ayu Krisnayanti Darma (Consultant Medical Doctor for PRAMITA Clinical Laboratory Jl. Pajajaran No. 86 Bandung)