A Scratch With Hind Toes by Rabid Dog Causes Rabies–Some Case Studies

Omesh K. Bharti; Rajesh K. Sood; Vidya Ramachandran; Archana Phull

Volume : V, Issue : II, February - 2015

A Scratch With Hind Toes by Rabid Dog Causes Rabies–Some Case Studies

Omesh K. Bharti, Rajesh K. Sood, Vidya Ramachandran, Archana Phull

Abstract :

Rabies is a fatal disease of zoonotic origin. Every half an hour, a person dies in India due to rabies. This year, the author learnt of a death of a referred patient due to rabies. The patient was referred from Rampur in Shimla District of Himachal Pradesh, India. The patient was bitten on his lower lip and developed symptoms of rabies within two weeks of the bite by a rabid dog. Similarly, another patient who had a scratch by hind toes of a rabid dog on the right forearm, died of rabies after 14 weeks and 4 days (102 days) in 2009 in village Talai of Matiyana block of district Shimla. Therefore, size and site matters in rabies and it should not be neglected as incubation period varies from few days to months. Another important aspect is that one should not stitch the wound without RIGs infiltration as it can be life threatening to the patient. The wounds on the face or head region deserve special attention and care. Aasions due to toes should not be neglected as they can also cause rabies because animals keep on licking their toes, soiling them with infected saliva.