Causes and Treatment of Rabies - Research Paper Example

Running head: RABIES Topic: Rabies Mary Spangler Rabies is a deadly disease caused by the rabies virus and is known to take several lives if proper treatment is unable to be provided to the affected patients on time. The study of this disease, its causes, symptoms, are important because till now, health care organizations are ignorant about the proper treatment or preventive measures that can save several lives from this disease. This study would particularly focus on the rabies disease, the virus that causes it, the preventive measures, the symptoms, the treatment, and the impacts that clearly give an understanding of the disease such that measures can be taken to protect and save people from this lethal disease. Introduction Rabies is a highly transmissible disease causing deadly consequences on all species of “warm blooded animals” that it may affect. The disease is caused when infected animals like dogs, cats or other animals bite human beings or other species thereby transmitting the disease to them. Rabies is caused by the Rabies virus, a member of Lyssavirus genus, which is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family. Encephalitis or inflammation of the brain occurs when the central nervous system is attacked by Rabies. This disease can only be cured if proper treatment is started before the virus reaches the nerves and symptoms start developing. The initial symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, fatigue, pain and loss of appetite. However, the disease may be prevented by anti-rabies vaccinations available nowadays. It is also considered safe to stay away from unknown animals, and pets, if at homes, should be vaccinated up-to-date (Nordqvist, 2010). The Rabies Virus: What causes Rabies? A single stranded RNA virus in the Lyssavirus genus of Rhabdoviridae family causes the Rabies disease (Lappin, 2001, p.429). The disease gets transmitted to others only when an infected animal attacks a human being or other animals. Such attacks may be either bites of infected animals, or may even be scratches (Klosterman, 2007, p.15). It is through the infected saliva that the disease mainly occurs. A person may get infected if an open injury comes in contact with infected saliva. The virus generally hangs around the area where the bite occurred and then attacks muscles and starts proliferating gradually making way in to the central nervous system. The viral then attacks all vital organs including kidneys and lungs, from the central nervous system (Nordqvist, 2010). Structure and Characteristics of the Rabies virus: The form of a rabies virus is bullet fashioned, curved on one side and compacted on the other side. Virions which are infectious brood of the virus vary in length from 100-430 nm, and their diameter ranges between 45-100 nm. The interior of the rabies virion is made up of a single stranded, genomic RNA, firmly enclosed by nucleocapsid (N) protein. The N protein and the RNA or Ribonucleic acid together combines to form the Ribonucleoprotein Complex (RNP), and takes up a helical shape inside the virus. The genetic material of the rabies virus consists of an incessant strand of RNA which is 11,932 nucleotides in length and not segmented. The viral proteins are manufactured from these genes (Kienzle, 2006, pp.16-20). Living Environment and Growth of the Virus: The rabies virus has an affinity for the cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Once it reaches the CNS, rapid replication takes place leading to inception of the disease. There are five general stages in which rabies in human beings may be divided. These include the “incubation period, the prodrome of non specific symptoms, acute neurological symptoms, coma and death”. A bite may result when infected saliva comes in contact with muscles, where the replication starts and the virus particles increase in number. This is the incubation period, after which the virus infects the neurons. The replication of the virus occurs mostly in the prodrome stage in the “limbic system of the brain”, and symptoms of anxiety and nervousness are realized at this stage. As the replication of the virus continues, it starts affecting the organs of the body as the concentration of virus increases with the virus being able to replicate within the salivary glands. Coma and death occur at acute stages, when treatment no more has any effect on the disease (Kienzle, 2006, pp.27-35). Human Cases of Rabies: There are two types in which cases of human rabies have been classified. This includes the “furious” rabies and the “paralytic or dumb” rabies. Furious rabies refers to those cases where hyperactivity reigns in the patients. Hydrophobia occurs during this furious form and is owing to tightening of the throat muscles during swallowing and results in foaming at the mouth. The other case is the paralytic or dumb rabies where the patients suffer from pain at the site of the wound and then develop weakness leading to paralysis that may include all parts of the body (Kienzle, 2006, pp.34-35). Detection of Rabies Virus RNA: Polymerase chain reaction can be used on samples of rabies virus RNA collected from the brain or saliva, to detect the presence of the virus. The presence of “Negri bodies” in neurons is a pathologic characteristic of rabies observed on histological staining. A range of diagnostic investigations may be performed on examination of human tissues that include isolation of viruses, fluorescent antibody test, and immunoperoxidase staining for rabies virus antigen or in situ hybridization for rabies virus RNA (Jackson, 2002, pp.229-230). The Disease: Rabies: History: Rabies was well identified in Europe at some stage in the medieval times, and was in all probability transmitted to the New World, where it became widespread in North America and the West Indies by the eighteenth century and in the early nineteenth century it reached South America as well. Record of the disease in Asia is not well recognized but rabies has been in existence since the early times in China and India. Scientific studies on the disease were started in the year 1803 by Zinke who discovered the transmission of the disease by saliva. Louis Pasteur had developed the view that rabies is a disease of the CNS. Vaccinations were thereby worked on and gradually discovered over time (Feigin, 2004, p.2347) Signs and Symptoms of Rabies: The time period between the initial infection and the onset of the symptoms usually takes around four to eight weeks or it may be a year at times, depending on the distance between the CNS and the site of infection. The initial symptoms in a rabies disease include fever, headache, fatigue, pain at the place of the wound, and even loss of appetite. Symptoms with respect to the two different forms of rabies have been identified. The symptoms of furious rabies include anxiety and agitation, neck becoming rigid, seizures, tears and saliva overproduced, convulsions, enlarged pupils, unusual understanding of light and temperatures, fear of water, insomnia, partial paralysis, hallucinations, abnormal mental clarity, and confusions. It is most likely that a person showing the first symptoms would not live for more than ten days. Dumb or paralytic rabies generally have an effect on the spinal cord. Weaknesses prevail and the patient gradually gets paralyzed, slowly progressing towards coma and finally death. Patients suffering from dumb rabies usually experience symptoms like bewilderment, nervousness, anxiety, headache, illusion, hydrophobia, too much of salivation, and partial paralysis (Nordqvist, 2010). Diagnosis of the Disease: Rabies can be diagnosed with the help of a “polymerase chain reaction” or “viral culture” on samples taken from the brain. Also, analysis of skin samples collected before death can help in diagnosis of rabies. Testing on samples taken from saliva, urine or cerebrospinal fluid, gives less responsive results for the diagnosis. Inclusion of “Negri bodies, which if detected are 100% diagnostic for rabies are only found in 80% of analyzed samples” from patient who are infected (Nordqvist, 2010). Absolute “blood count” and “serum biochemical panel” may not disclose any distinguishing anomalies. Cerebrospinal fluid may show a slight increase in protein levels or counts of leukocyte. Direct testing of immune fluorescent antibody is needed to be done on tissues of the nervous system or on samples taken from the skin (Lappin, 2001, p.430). Treatment of Rabies: Treatment of rabies is possible only if the patient who has been bitten by a rabies infected animal is taken immediately to a doctor. The site of the wound needs to be washed thoroughly, rinsed, and virucidal antiseptic has to be applied. However, if the symptoms start developing, no treatment may be able to save the individual (Nordqvist, 2010). Impact of the Disease on Community: In spite of satisfying all criteria of the World Health Organization for diseases, Rabies is still a neglected disease that is not properly controlled in several countries. Developing countries often consider Rabies as an insignificant disease. This perception has been a major factor affecting the development of control of such diseases. Control of rabies is looked at as a responsibility by most of the veterinary authorities. The importance and benefits of disease control is a major requirement that would encourage the health sectors to involve more in the control efforts (Coleman, Fèvre & Cleaveland, 2004, pp.140-141). It is only a recent story where several deaths had been reported on an epidemic of rabies that had captivated Bali, a tourist location, having a population of around three million people (Huffpost Travel, 2010). Thus the enormous impact of the disease can be understood. Economic Impact: Rabies prevailing in the wildlife has increased considerably in the past couple of years. Economic impacts of particular varieties of this disease are experienced upon miscellaneous “agricultural, insurance, medical, and veterinary” welfares (Sterner & Sun, 2004, p.188). Preventive Measures: Rabies can be prevented through the application and use of anti-rabies vaccination. Particularly those who are possibly more in contact with animals should get themselves vaccinated. Also, if animals are vaccinated at proper levels and in proper time, then, chances of getting affected by the rabies virus become negligible (Nordqvist, 2010). Conclusion From the study, it can be understood that Rabies caused by the rabies virus is a deadly disease that may affect any human being or other animal species if any rabies infected animal bites the victim. The virus is so affecting that it would start replicating and making its way to the central nervous system of a human body as CNS is the location that they are affluent with. Soon, they would multiply in numbers and affect all the vital organs of the body, gradually leading to death. The treatment of such a disease is also a highly sensitive issue as treatment is only possible till the symptoms do not develop, which implies that a patient attacked by the rabies virus has to be taken to a doctor immediately and treated as sooner as possible. If the same is ignored, then no one would be able to stop the individual from dying. Owing to high level of ignorance still prevailing in the world, several deaths occur every year from rabies disease. A better option to prevent one from such painful deaths would be to take vaccinations that are available. However, the foremost step that needs to be taken is to learn the facts related to the disease such that the importance of prevention can be understood by all. References 1) Bali Rabies Outbreak Kills 78, Leads To U.S. Travel Warning (2010). Huffpost Travel, Retrieved on: August 1, 2011 from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/02/bali-rabies-outbreak-kill_n_667375.html 2) Coleman, P.G. Fèvre, E.M. & S. Cleaveland. (2004). Estimating the Public Health Impact of Rabies, Emerging Infectious Diseases, 10(1), pp.140-141, Retrieved on August 1, 2011 from: http://www.rabiesblueprint.com/IMG/pdf/Link2_Coleman_04.pdf 3) Feigin, R.D. (2004). Textbook of pediatric infectious diseases, Volume 2. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences 4) Jackson, A.C. (2002). Rabies. Massachusetts: Academic Press 5) Kienzle, T.E. (2006). Rabies. New York: Infobase Publishing 6) Klosterman, L. (2007). Rabies. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish 7) Lappin, M.R. (2001). Feline internal medicine secrets. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences 8) Nordqvist, C. (March 11, 2010), What Is Rabies? What Causes Rabies?, Medical News today, Retrieved on: August 1, 2011 from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181980.php 9) Sterner, R.T. & B. Sun.(2004). Relative Factor Costs of Wildlife Rabies Impacts in the U.S., USDA National Wildlife Research Center –Staff Publications, Retrieved on: August 1, 2011 from: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1385&context=icwdm_usdanwrc&sei-redir=1#search=%22economical%20impact%20rabies%22 . . Read More