RABIES

Aisa Alyanna Habib

 What is Rabies?
Rabies (from Latin: rabies,


“madness, rage, fury”) is a

viral zoonotic neuroinvasive
disease that causes acute
encephalitis (inflammation
of the brain) in warm-
blooded animals. It is also
known as Hydrophobia or
Lyssa.
•
 Etiologic Agent
 Rhabdovirus of the
genus lyssavirus

 Mode of Transmission
Usually by bites of a


rabid animal whose

saliva has the virus.
The virus may also be
introduced into a
scratch or in fresh
breaks in the skin.
Transmission from man
to man is possible.
•
 Disease Process
The virus travels from the site of entry


via the peripheral nerves to the spinal

cord and brain. It then multiplies and
travels from the CNS through the
efferent nerves to many body tissues,
including the salivary glands, saliva,
urine, cerebrospinal fluid, corneal
cells, and skin. It causes vessel
engorgement, edema, and punctate
hemorrhages in the meninges and the
brain, and diffuse degenerative changes
occur in the neurons of the brain and
spinal cord. Negri bodies may be formed
in the hippocampus or neurons in the
cerebellum, cortex, and spinal cord.
•
 Incubation Period
 The usual incubation period is 2
to 8 weeks. It can be as long
as a year or several years
depending on the severity of
the wounds, site of the wound
and distance from the brain,
amount of virus introduced and
protection provided by
clothing.
•
 Clinical
Manifestations
 Early s/sx:
vFever
vHeadache
vGeneral tiredness
vDiscomfort, numbness, or pain at
the site of the bite
•
Progressive s/sx:
vInsomnia
vAnxiety
vConfusion
vSlight or partial paralysis
vExcitation
vHallucinations
vAgitation
vHypersalivation
vDifficulty swallowing
 Medical Management
1. Thoroughly wash the wounds with soap
and running water for at least three
minutes. Antiseptics such as povidone

iodine or alcohol may be applied.
 

2. The patient may be given antibiotics


and anti-tetanus immunization.
 

3. Post-exposure treatment is given to

persons who are exposed to rabies. It

consists of local wound treatment,
active immunization(vaccination) and
passive immunization (rabies
immunoglobulin).
 Nursing Management
1. Isolate the patient.
2. Give emotional and spiritual

support.
3. Provide optimum comfort.

4. Darken the room and provide a

quiet environment.
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5. Patient should not be bathed and
there should not be any running
water in the room or within the
hearing distance of the patient.
6. If IV fluid has to be given it

should be wrapped and needle should

be securely anchored in the vein to
avoid dislodging in times of
restlessness.
 7. Concurrent and terminal

disinfection should be carried out.

•
THANK YOU!