The Pandemic fever!

Intro: The dengue virus scare is increasing day by 

day as the disease continues to spread worldwide.

You! takes a look at the signs and symptoms of the virus... 

Dengue virus or fever, a mosquito-borne disease with no known treatment, is spreading rapidly around the globe. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that 2.5 billion people are at a risk from one of the world's fastest-emerging infections. Officials at the WHO say Asia, home to 70 per cent of the at-risk population, has seen a rise in dengue mainly because of higher temperatures due to climate change and rising populations.

What is dengue fever?

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands and rash. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.

Dengue strikes people with low levels of immunity. It goes by other names, including 'breakbone' or 'dandy fever'. Victims of dengue often have contortions due to the intense joint and muscle pain, hence the name breakbone fever. 

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness. Manifestations include headache, fever, rash, and evidence of hemorrhage in the body. Small red or purple blisters under the skin, bleeding in the nose or gums, black stool, or easy bruising are all possible signs of hemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening and can progress to the most severe form of the illness, dengue shock syndrome.

The virus's main affect is on the platelet production. Normally the platelets in our body last for about four days and the body replenishes them when required. This virus destroys the body's capacity to produce new platelets. The platelet count for a normal person varies from 1.5 - 2.5 lacs per unit volume. On getting infected the patient's platelet count starts falling and a count below 1 lac is alarming. A platelet count below 50,000 is fatal.

How is dengue fever contracted?

The virus is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person. The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags, and cans year-round. One mosquito bite can inflict the disease.

Dengue fever symptoms and signs

* After being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, the incubation period ranges from usually five to eight days before the signs and symptoms of dengue appear. 

* Dengue starts with chills, headache, pain upon moving the eyes, and low backache. Painful aching in the legs and joints occurs during the first hours of illness. 

* The temperature rises quickly with low heart rate and low blood pressure (hypotension). 

* Eyes become reddened. 

* A flushing or pale pink rash comes over the face and then disappears. The glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and groin often swell up too.

* Fever and other signs of dengue last for two to four days, followed by a rapid drop in body temperature (defervescence) with profuse sweating. 

* This precedes with normal temperature and a sense of well-being that lasts about a day. A second rapid rise in temperature follows. 

What is the treatment for dengue fever?

Because dengue fever is caused by a virus, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat it. For typical dengue, the treatment is purely concerned with relief of the symptoms. Bed rest and intake of plenty of fluids for adequate hydration is important. Medicines should only be taken under a doctor's supervision. It is also necessary to monitor blood pressure and platelet count. 

There are several preventive steps that can be taken to avoid dengue virus:

* The most important is to ensure there is no standing water near residential areas where mosquitoes breed.

* Spraying insecticide, applying mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves and trousers can also be helpful.

* Avoid wearing dark colours as they attract mosquitoes.

Home remedies to prevent dengue..?

Raw papaya leaves: Squeezing out the leaves of raw papaya is quite beneficial for increasing the platelets of a dengue patient. Take two leaves, pound and squeeze the juice through a filter cloth. You will only get one tablespoon per leaf. Do not boil, cook or rinse with hot water, else it will lose its strength. 

Orange juice: It helps with digestion, increased urinary output, promotes antibodies for faster healing and recovery. It gives energy and vitamins, over all a great source for fighting fever.

Basil leaves: Intake of boiled basil leaves served as warm tea can prevent the outbreak of dengue. This bitter and pungent herb has all the qualities that can fortify the internal system.

Neem tree: Neem has magnificent healing properties and can be used for special air purifying qualities. It is extremely efficient in alleviating such air borne disease like dengue. A tonic made from the leaves of the neem tree is the best as they are great purifying agents.

What is Water Matters..?

Intro: You! highlights the health hazards caused 

due to consuming contaminated 

water and what should be done to thwart it...

Water is our body's vital fuel, a health drink provided by Mother Nature herself. We all know that clean water has many health benefits for the human body, however, it can also prove to be hazardous and fatal if the water is contaminated. Nowadays, in Karachi, the ratio of water-borne diseases, particularly among the young ones, is on the rise because unhygienic and polluted water is being supplied to homes. Mineral water is available in the market so that people can consume pure drinking water but a very minor percentage of the population can afford to buy it. This is why generally people consume whatever they get from the tap at their homes and then end up suffering the consequences of impure water. Recently, water samples from different localities of the city were collected and tested in the Food lab of CDGK which showed that 50 per cent of the samples were contaminated. 

Read on to find the health hazards that are being caused due to contaminated water and the precautionary measures that can be taken to prevent various illnesses - particularly from water-borne diseases in young ones. 

The current situation

According to the Ex-General Secretary of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Karachi, Dr. Qaiser Sajjad, the city seems to have been invaded by water-borne diseases as hundreds of cases are being reported in different hospitals. Gastroenteritis also hit the city and the major cause was found out to be consumption of contaminated water. "All the main roads and streets of the city have been inundated with rain water and is mixed with water from sewerage lines, which has resulted in infecting the whole water," said Dr Qaiser.

It is vital to improve the sanitation system or people would face the deadliest diseases like typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, gastroenteritis and food poison etc. in the near future.

Hazards of contaminated water

Water is important for the body as it accounts for about 60 per cent of the body weight. A good water intake has many benefits linked to it. It adds to one leading a long and healthy lifestyle where not only one feels good but looks good as well. Water helps in exercising efficiently and since it's a natural appetite suppressant, water can help us lose weight. It also helps in maintaining healthy skin. However, contaminated water kills the real purpose of taking water and turns the benefits into nil. 

Contaminated water leads to many health complications such as dehydration and diarrhoea. 

"Contaminated water is not only a threat to the health of expecting mothers but is also dangerous for the foetus," explained Dr Tasnim Sadiq who is an Obstetrician at the Burhani Hospital, Karachi. The contaminated water flowing in our city can also cause urinary tract infections in expecting mothers, who are more prone to this type of infection. 

Clean water when consumed bathes the body cells and refreshes them while contaminated water pollutes them. This affects the joints and causes pain in various areas of the body including backache. Whereas clean water can help your back and joints stay healthy.

Prevention 

To avoid health problems caused by water during the rain season, be sure to boil it before drinking.

"Water should be boiled for around 20 to 30 minutes to abolish 99.99 per cent viruses from the water," shared Dr Shahid at CHK. "This easy exercise can protect the health of millions from many dangerous diseases."

Chlorine and salt tablets can also be used to cleanse the water and make it healthy enough for drinking purposes. Water filters are also very useful. 

Children are particularly prone to water-borne diseases so mothers are advised to give them mineral water or properly boiled water. Make sure that feeders and other utensils are sterilised or properly washed in boiled water. You have to be very careful and just keeping simple things in mind like washing your hands properly before eating etc. can help you in preventing various ailments. Don't drink boiled water in a glass washed with contaminated water as it kills the purpose of using potable water. Crockery and other utensils used for eating foods should also be washed with boiled water. Also use boiled water for washing hands and mouth of your child. Health experts strongly advise people to use only boiled water and to avoid outdoor meals, especially during the rainy season.

Dyslexia? (Teach me to learn...)

Intro: Dyslexia is a disorder in which a child has

 difficulty to read. You! takes a look...

Is your child having trouble reading, spellings and phonics (speech sounds) make absolutely no sense at all? While writing or copying down stuff from the board does he/she make reversals in the letters? Does your child become panicked when the teacher calls upon him/her to read in the class? If your answer is yes to all these problems, then your child is going through a disability called dyslexia. Let's take a look at the causes, symptoms and treatment of the disorder...

What is dyslexia? 

According to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke dyslexia can be defined as follows:

"Dyslexia is a brain-based type of learning disability that specifically impairs a person's ability to read. These individuals typically read at levels significantly lower than expected despite having normal intelligence. Although the disorder varies from person to person, common characteristics among people with dyslexia are difficulty with spelling, phonological processing (the manipulation of sounds), and/or rapid visual-verbal responding. In adults, dyslexia usually occurs after a brain injury or in the context of dementia."

In simpler words dyslexia can be explained as a difficulty in learning to read despite traditional instruction and average intelligence. It is an impairment in the brain's ability to translate images received from the eyes or ears into understandable language. Although dyslexia is not an intellectual disability, it is considered both learning and reading disability. 

Dyslexia does not result from vision or hearing problems and it is not due to mental retardation, brain damage, or a lack of intelligence as traditionally thought a few years ago. It is believed that dyslexia can affect between 5 to 10 per cent of a given population and can go undetected in the early grades of schooling. The child can become frustrated by the difficulty in learning to read and may show signs of depression and low self esteem. Behaviour problems at home as well as at school are frequently seen. The child may become unmotivated and develop a dislike for school and his/her success in school may be jeopardised if dyslexia remains untreated. 

What causes dyslexia?

There are three main types of dyslexia that can affect the child's ability to spell as well as read. Each type of dyslexia has a different cause. The three main types are trauma dyslexia, primary dyslexia and developmental dyslexia.

Trauma dyslexia usually occurs after some type of brain trauma or injury to the area of the brain that controls reading and writing. This type of dyslexia is rarely seen in today's school-age population.

Primary dyslexia is a dysfunction of the left side of the brain (cerebral cortex) and does not change with maturity. Individuals with this type are rarely able to read above a fourth grade level and may struggle with reading, spelling, and writing as adults. Primary dyslexia is hereditary and is found more often in boys than in girls.

Developmental dyslexia is caused by hormonal development during the early stages of foetal development. Developmental dyslexia diminishes as the child matures. This type is also more common in boys.

Dyslexia involves several different functions: visual, auditory and dysgraphia. Visual dyslexia is characterised by number and letter reversals and the inability to write symbols in the correct sequence. Auditory dyslexia involves difficulty with sounds of letters or groups of letters. The sounds are perceived as jumbled or not heard correctly. Dysgraphia refers to the child's difficulty holding and controlling a pencil so that the correct markings can be made on the paper.

What are the symptoms of dyslexia?

The symptoms of dyslexia vary according to the severity of the disorder as well as the age of the individual. But the most common symptoms of dyslexia are:

* If you notice that a child who appears to be average or bright when they are talking to you is struggling to read, spell or cope with mathematics, this may be the strongest indicator that they may be dyslexic. 

* It is very common for dyslexic children to be quite able, especially in the areas of creativity (art, drama, drawing.) and physical co-ordination (physical education, swimming, sports, model-making, etc.). 

* Letter and number reversals are fairly common up to the age of seven or eight and usually diminish later on. If they do not, it may be appropriate to test for dyslexia or other learning problems.

* Difficulty copying from a board or a book can also be a symptom. There may be a general disorganisation of written work. A child may not be able to remember content.

* Problems with spatial relationships can extend beyond the classroom and be observed in the playground. The child may appear to be uncoordinated and have difficulty with organised sports or games. 

How is dyslexia diagnosed?

Dyslexia is difficult to diagnose and can only be diagnosed by a psychologist or a health professional after a series of tests are done. The tests determine the child's functional reading level and compare it to reading potential, which is evaluated by an intelligence test. Tests also assess how a child takes in and processes information, and what the child does with the information. 

Treatment for dyslexia

Dyslexia can be treated and a child with this disorder can learn to read and write with appropriate educational support.

Treatment for dyslexia consists of using educational tools to enhance the ability to read. An important part of the treatment is that parents or teachers of the child with dyslexia are well informed and educated about the condition. The earlier the dyslexia is recognised and addressed, the better. Starting treatment when a child is young can improve and may even prevent reading problems.

Preventable Dilemma

Intro: Obstetric fistula is a condition that occurs during childbirth when a rupture 

or hole in the birth canal obstructs delivery of the infant. You! takes a look... 

Many of us aren't aware of this fact but each year at least 50000 to 100000 women worldwide are affected by obstetric fistula; a hole in the birth canal. The development of obstetric fistula is directly linked to obstructed labour and it is estimated that obstructed labour occurs in approximately 4.6 per cent of deliveries worldwide.
Women who experience obstetric fistula suffer constant incontinence, shame, social segregation and health problems and unfortunately most of them are deprived of a cure. A research shows that more than 2 million young women live with untreated obstetric fistula in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, causing their suffering to prolong. Read on to find out more about the medical problem.

What is it?
When the obstructed labour is unrelieved by medical intervention, the pressure of the baby's head against the woman's pelvis can cause extensive tissue damage. If a woman survives such a labour, she may be left with a fistula between her vagina and bladder and/or vagina and rectum, resulting in incontinence of urine. Women that experience an obstetric fistula have typically survived an average of three to four days of labour while others have been in labour for as long as a week.  In almost 90 per cent of cases, the baby that is born dies within the first week.
In addition to incontinence, the medical consequences of obstetric fistula include frequent bladder infections, painful genital ulcerations, kidney failure and infertility. The prolonged, obstructed labour may also cause a variety of health problems, such as stress incontinence, amenorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, secondary infertility, vaginal stenosis and foot-drop. The smell caused by the constant leaking of urine and faeces combined with misperceptions about the causes of birth complications often results in stigma and ostracism by communities and spousal abandonment.

Who is most vulnerable to it?
Eradicated in developed countries at the end of the 19th century when caesarean section became widely available, obstetric fistula still plagues women throughout the developing world, specifically in parts of Africa, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nepal. It is estimated that there are 100,000 new cases each year, but the international capacity to treat obstetric fistula is limited to only 6,500 per year.

How is obstetric fistula treated?
Obstetric fistula is preventable and can be avoided by:
* Gaining access to doctors and proper medical facilities
* A surgical procedure in the case of a doctor being absent during childbirth
* Delaying the age of first pregnancy
* Timely access to obstetric care

Situation in Pakistan
An estimated 5,000 to 6,000 new cases of fistula are occurring in Pakistan every year. And one out of every three cases is Iatrogenic, meaning that it is caused by quacks, unskilled healthcare providers, surgeons and gynaecologists, who may be qualified, but are incompetent and thrive in the absence of an effective accountability mechanism. According to Prominent Gynaecologist Dr Sher Shah around 70 to 80 per cent of the deliveries in Pakistan are taking place in the rural areas under the supervision of 'dais' and unskilled attendants, who use archaic methods riddled with complications. "Fistula is more common among women in Dera Ghazi Khan, Swat, and Gilgit, among other areas," says Dr Sher Shah.

Prevention is better than cure...
Fistula can be best avoided by stopping early marriages, delaying the age of first pregnancy and by timely access to good emergency obstetric care. "Education is the key," says Dr Sher Shah. "Only education can get the Pakistani women out of this mire. There is no magic pill that we can give to our expectant mothers and no amount of programmes or projects will stop our women from dying unless our poor are educated." It's about time the government formulated a National Task Force for Fistula Treatment in order to transition from a campaign-based to a permanent approach for the management of this stark health challenge.

Easy way out!

Intro: Recently, a seminar that highlighted the topic of

 contraception was held in Karachi-Pakistan. 

Children are a gift of God. However, there are some mothers who can't afford to conceive due to various reasons including illnesses, lack of financial stability, young age as well as already having given birth to more than one child. Due to these reasons many women turn towards procedures like abortion unwillingly. However, it is to make sure that the woman does not conceive before she is completely ready to bring a child into this world, rather than taking away the life of a child. This is why measures of contraception have become so vital over the years. Unfortunately, concepts such as contraception and family planning are still considered to be a taboo in our country. This in effect raises the need of awareness on such topics since many people are deprived of any sort of information. Luckily, we are not far behind as there are still some organisations that are willing to take a step for the betterment of many women who do not want to conceive, as well as aiding in putting a stop to the economical problem of over-population.

Recently, Bayer HealthCare Pakistan (a company in the healthcare and medical products industry) celebrated 'World Contraception Day' by organising a symposium at Marriott hotel, Karachi. The World Contraception Day is a worldwide campaign aiming to raise awareness about the methods of contraception and to highlight the need to reduce the high levels of unplanned pregnancies. It is aimed at all women and men in the reproductive age group and events are organised around the world to mark the importance of this day and the delicate topic it is dedicated to. The annual worldwide campaign aims for a world where every pregnancy is wanted, under the motto 'Live Your Life. Know your rights. Learn about contraception.' The campaign's main aim, however, is to educate women regarding their health care.

In the year 2011 WCD has focused its campaign on married couples. In this regard the symposium held in Karachi intended to raise awareness of regarding different methods of contraception amongst the married couples in Pakistan and to enlighten them about various available contraceptive methods. The event had open discussions amongst key opinion leaders (KOLs) who provided the audience with balanced information and tailored resources. Consultants and gynaecologists were also present to enlighten the audience on the topic at hand. Bayer Health Care introduced two characters Mr. and Mrs. Mansu to illustrate their campaign effectively, which was quite an innovative and interesting concept. 

Mr. and Mrs Mansu (Mian Mansu and Begum Mansu; their names are derived by the term 'Mansuba' in Urdu language which means planning). The married couple depicted how they were evenly balancing their professional, personal and social life, after attaining the knowledge of contraception. Yes, being aware of the methods of contraception gives one the freedom to get pregnant by choice; hence it removes the unnecessary burden on a couple and strengthens their bond. The event proved to be a success and so did the new method of raising awareness. Various questions were answered by the experts present at the event, who also emphasised on the importance of family planning and all the positivities linked to it. However, we hope that people retain all that they learnt on WCD and try the different types of contraceptives available. It is after all, for their own good. A child that is awaited by the parents will always lead a happier life as compared to an unwanted one. Don't go through pregnancies by putting your happiness as well as the joy of your unborn child at stake. Everyone has the right to choose!

The Wonders of Water

Intro: Ample consumption of water is vital for 

maintaining good health.Good news for women is 

that it also helps in weight loss... 

Consuming water is essential for our bodies. By drinking healthy amount of clean water one can gain tremendous health benefits. Our bodies are mostly made up of water - the brain alone consists of 90% water, on the other hand blood contains 83% water, lean muscle has 75% water and bone has 22% water. Many experts also agree that water is one of the most powerful forms of treatment as it transports nutrients and oxygen to the cells. It also helps the organs absorb nutrients better. 

Fat loss by drinking water

One of the most important benefits of water that might appeal to the majority of women is that it helps in weight loss. Water has many health benefits and by increasing its consumption with a decreased intake of fatty foods, it can help in shedding those unnecessary pounds. Following are the reasons how water helps in fat loss:

A) Curbs hunger: 

Water helps in curbing hunger as it is a natural appetite suppressant. It is also a fact that insufficient fluid intake leads to over eating because our brains cannot differentiate between hunger and thirst. If there is slight dehydration the thirst mechanism may be mistaken for hunger and you may eat when the body is actually only craving for water. In other words when you think you are hungry, your body may in fact be telling you that you are thirsty. As most food contains some water, if you don't drink enough water, you may be subconsciously driven to eat more to gain the necessary water supply and as a result, you gain more calories and more weight!

B) Makes you feel full:

Water is filling and calorie free and takes up the room in your stomach, making you feel full. This means that because of the consumption of water you'll eat less and feel less hungry.

C) Replaces sugary drinks:

Sodas, sugary drinks and shakes all contain calories. For instance half a cup of fruit juice contains between 45 and 80 calories. By drinking all these sugary drinks you will just end up adding a considerable number of calories to your body, while water on the other hand has zero calories. Replace sugary drinks with water and those extra calories will be gone pronto!

D) Metabolism is boosted:

Water consumption increases the metabolism of the body. Increased metabolism means that there is an increase in the calorie burn and fat loss. Research has proved that after drinking approximately 17 ounces of water, there is a 30 per cent increase in the calorie burning rate within a time frame of 30-40 minutes. A person who increases his water consumption by 1.5 litres a day would burn an extra 17,400 calories. The more water you have, the more weight you will lose.

Water as a cure

Consuming water can keep you healthy and is a good source of treatment for many health problems. Drinking a healthy amount of water can help cure the following health issues:

* Drinking 12 glasses daily can help treat kidney stones as water has the ability to dissolve the substances that form stones. 

* Urinary tract infection can be prevented. The more water you drink, the more you will urinate. Water helps flush out harmful bacteria from the bladder.

* Water dilutes the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and reduces the risk of bladder cancer and colon cancer.

* Patients with diarrhoea require water to prevent dehydration. Mix a glass of water with 2 teaspoons sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and drink as much as you can. 

* Treats cough, colds, sore throat, and respiratory infections. 

* Taking 2-3 gulps of water every 20 minutes or so can help flush the stomach acid away, hence, reducing heartburn.

* Water prevents constipation and its complications. Too little water can harden the stool and lead to haemorrhoids and diverticulosis, a disease of the large bowel. 

* Water keeps the body alert and energetic. If you're dehydrated, your blood literally becomes thick. This makes it harder for the blood to circulate and as a result, the brain becomes less active and you may end up feeling confused and fatigued. 

The health benefits of drinking water are numerous.  Here are some of the advantages: 

* Natural remedy: Drinking an ample amount of water helps to relieve headache and back pains that occur due to dehydration. 

* Look young with healthier skin: You'll look younger when your skin is properly hydrated. Water helps to replenish skin tissues, moisturises skin and increases skin elasticity. It also keeps the skin soft and radiant. 

* Better productivity at work: Your brain is mostly made up of water, thus drinking water helps you think better.

* Better exercise: Water regulates the body temperature and helps fuel the muscles, hence providing more energy during exercise. 

* Less cramps and sprains: Proper hydration helps keep joints and muscles lubricated, so you will be less likely to get cramps and sprains.

* Relieves fatigue: Water is required to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body. If the body lacks water, the heart needs to work harder to pump out the oxygenated blood to all the cells.

Rabies: Prevention is better

Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous 

system. It is transmitted from infected mammals to man 

and is invariably fatal once symptoms appear.

Every year, 55,000 people die due to rabies.

Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system. It is transmitted from infected mammals to man and is invariably fatal once symptoms appear. Every year, 55,000 people die due to rabies around the world including Pakistan. But the good news is that it can be prevented if the exposed person receives treatment before symptoms of the infection develop.

Civil Hospital Karachi in connection with the Rabies day. Civil Hospital Karachi has special facility for rabies patients and more than 24,000 rabies virus patients were treated here in the last 5 years. It is the only health institute in the province where a separate clinic has been established for free treatment of dogs, horses and monkeys bites. Vaccines are very costly but we are providing them on a free basis. We provide all medicines and vaccines to the Rabies Management Clinic and the staff of the clinic is treating the patients with dedication."

Different ways through which virus can be transmitted: 

* Bites are the most common source of transmission

* Scratches by infected animals are far less likely to cause infection but are still considered a potential source of rabies transmission. 

* The virus is transmitted only when the virus gets into bite wounds, open cuts in your skin, or into mucous membranes (for example, into your eyes or your mouth). 

* Bites or scratches are often not confirmed in cases of human rabies traced to bats. Therefore, treatment might be necessary after a close encounter with a bat. 

Symptoms

Rabies patients mostly suffer fits at an initial stage and they are afraid of water and light. 

One of the most distinctive signs of rabies infection is a tingling or twitching sensation around the area of the animal bite. It is often accompanied by a fever, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and fatigue.

As the infection progresses, someone infected with rabies may develop any of these symptoms:

* Irritability

* Excessive movements or agitation 

* Confusion

* Hallucinations and aggressiveness 

* Bizarre or abnormal thoughts 

* Muscle spasms 

* Abnormal postures 

* Seizures (convulsions) 

* Weakness or paralysis (when a person cannot move some part of the body) 

* Extreme sensitivity to bright lights, sounds, or touch 

* Increased production of saliva or tears 

* Difficulty in speaking 

In the advanced stages of the infection, as it spreads to other parts of the nervous system, these symptoms may develop:

* Double vision 

* Problems moving facial muscles 

* Abnormal movements of the diaphragm and muscles that control breathing 

* Difficulty swallowing and increased production of saliva, causing 'foaming around the mouth' usually associated with rabies infection

Rabies Treatment

When bitten by an animal, you should always care for the wound immediately by washing it out with soap, a virus-killing cleanser, water, and some sort of commercial antiseptic iodine solution, if available. This not only helps in killing the common bacterial germs that may be passed by the bite but has also been shown to decrease the likelihood of transmission of the rabies virus.

Medical Treatment

If a person is bitten by a rabid animal and has not yet experienced symptoms, there is an extremely effective post-exposure treatment, which includes an injection of rabies immune globulin and several containing rabies vaccine given over a 28-day period. Normally, additional doses of rabies vaccine follow on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 after the first vaccination.

The rabies vaccine works by stimulating a person's immune system to produce antibodies that neutralise the virus. The person develops a protective immune response before the virus reaches the brain and begins to actively replicate.

Prevention is better

Rabies can be totally prevented by making sure that people have awareness about this disease. Prompt vaccination could save the patient from a painful death. You must get appropriate medical care before you develop the symptoms of rabies. 

Rabies vaccination and pregnancy

Both human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and various rabies vaccines are safe in pregnancy. If you are taking medicines (such as prednisone or steroids) or have a disease that interferes with the body's response to the rabies vaccine, discuss these situations with your doctor. The doctor will then determine if additional blood tests are needed to ensure that an adequate response to the vaccine has occurred and that protection against rabies is developing.