Consumer Information

Rabies

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Rabies (RAY-beez) is a serious disease, caused by a virus (germ), that affects the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain, spine, and nerves. Rabies occurs when a virus enters the body and reaches the brain. It may infect humans through the bite of a rabid animal. Animals that may spread rabies include dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bats. Humans may get rabies if they come in contact with infected saliva, through either a wound, the eyes, or the mouth. Humans may also get infected by breathing in the virus, handling an infected animal's body, or through transplants.
Early signs and symptoms may include fever, headache, and pain, numbness, or itchiness at the bite site. Over time, there may be confusion (cannot think clearly), restlessness, anxiety, trouble swallowing, or severe weakness. Diagnosis of rabies may include a detailed health history. Tests, such as blood tests and a lumbar puncture, may also be done to look for the rabies virus or rabies antibodies. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test may be done to take pictures of your brain. Treatment includes treating the signs and symptoms of the disease and any other problems it may cause, such as seizures (convulsions). Rabies vaccinations (shots) given before or right after an attack may prevent an infection. Treating rabies as soon as possible may prevent more serious problems and increase your chances of recovering.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Treatment of rabies may cause unpleasant effects. Rabies shots may cause headache, fever, muscle aches, or swelling at the place where the shot was given. Sometimes, rabies still occurs even after the shots. Without early treatment, rabies may cause damage to the brain and other organs. You may have brain swelling, seizures (convulsions), and paralysis (be unable to move). It may lead to coma and death. The risks of serious problems are less if you follow your caregiver's advice. Talk to your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your disease, medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Isolation: You may be put on isolation safety measures if you have an infection or disease that may be given to others. Caregivers and visitors may need to wear gloves, a face mask, or a gown. Visitors should wash their hands before leaving to keep from spreading germs.

IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Medicines: Your caregiver may give you the following kinds of medicines:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
Anticonvulsant medicine: Anticonvulsants are given to control seizures.
Antiviral medicine: Antiviral medicine may be given to fight an infection caused by a germ called a virus.
Immune globulins: Immune globulins can be used to treat many different problems. It may be given to help your immune system fight infection. It may also help if your body does not produce enough of certain kinds of blood cells. This medicine may help if your system fights something in your blood or body that it should not. Ask your caregiver for more information about how immune globulin medicine may help you.
Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain. Medicine may be given regularly, or may only be given if you ask caregivers for it. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease enough for you to feel better. Do not wait to ask for your pain medicine until the pain is very bad. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Ask your caregiver for help getting out of bed if you feel tired or dizzy.
Sedative: A sedative medicine may be given to help you stay calm and relaxed.
Steroids: Steroid medicine may be given to decrease inflammation, which is redness, pain, and swelling.

Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG, electrocardiogram, or telemetry. Sticky pads are placed on your chest or different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire leading to a small portable box (telemetry unit), or to a TV-type screen. This lets caregivers see a tracing of the electrical activity of your heart. The heart monitor may help caregivers see problems with the way your heart is beating. Do not remove any wires or sticky pads without asking your caregiver first.

Neurologic signs: Neurologic signs are also called neuro signs, neuro checks, or neuro status. Caregivers check your eyes, your memory, and how easily you wake up. Your hand grasp and balance may also be tested. This helps tell caregivers how your brain is working after an injury or illness. You may need to have your neuro signs checked often. Your caregiver may even have to wake you up to check your neuro signs.

Respiratory support:

Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen to help you breathe easier. It may be given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. It may be given through a nasal cannula, or prongs, instead of a mask. A nasal cannula is a pair of short, thin tubes that rest just inside your nose. Tell your caregiver if your nose gets dry or if the mask or prongs bother you. Ask your caregiver before taking off your oxygen. Never smoke or let anyone else smoke in the same room while your oxygen is on. Doing so may cause a fire.
Ventilator: A ventilator is a special machine that can breathe for you if you cannot breathe well on your own. You may have an endotracheal tube (ET tube) in your mouth or nose. A tube called a trach may go into an incision (cut) in the front of your neck. The ET tube or trach is hooked to the ventilator. The ventilator can also give oxygen to you.

Tests:

Biopsy: Your caregiver may do a skin biopsy on you. A biopsy is done by removing a small piece of tissue and then sending it to the lab for tests. A skin sample is usually taken from the back of the neck. A biopsy can help caregivers learn the cause of your symptoms.
Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
Culture: This is a test to grow and identify the germ that is causing your illness. Samples may be taken from your saliva, tears, or fluid in the brain and spine.
Lumbar puncture: This procedure may also be called a spinal tap. During a lumbar puncture, you will need to lie very still. Caregivers may give you medicine to make you lose feeling in a small area of your back. Caregivers will clean this area of your back. A needle will be put in, and fluid removed from around your spinal cord. The fluid will be sent to a lab for tests. The tests check for infection, bleeding around your brain and spinal cord, or other problems. Sometimes medicine may be put into your back to treat your illness.
MRI: This test is called magnetic resonance imaging. During the MRI, pictures are taken of your head. An MRI may be used to look at the brain, muscles, joints, bones, or blood vessels. You will need to lay still during a MRI. Never enter the MRI room with an oxygen tank, watch, or any other metal objects. This can cause serious injury. Tell your caregiver if you have any metal implants in your body.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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