If you have suffered a dog bite and the injuries are located on the face, head or neck, it is important that you immediately go to a medical center to determine if it is necessary to apply the anti-rabies vaccine and reduce the risk of wound infection. , explained the head of the Zoonoses Control Health Center of the DIRIS Lima Centro, of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), Yris Carpio Bazán.
How to properly clean the wound?
The specialist specifies that wound hygiene is an essential step. It should be done as quickly as possible, washing the wound with plenty of soap and water for approximately 10 minutes and going to the nearest health facility. He recommends avoiding the use of alcohol or iodine, because they could be harmful to the tissue and delay the healing process.
In what cases might it be necessary to get vaccinated against rabies?
Dr. Yris Carpio points out that the rabies vaccine will be indicated according to the risk assessment carried out by the surgeon.
“The injuries of greatest concern are those found on the face, head, neck and areas with greater innervation such as the pads of the fingers and toes, genitals, or if they are multiple and deep.“he explained.
Likewise, injuries that have been caused by unknown, missing, dead or wild animals. If human rabies prophylaxis is required, the treating physician will prescribe the number of vaccine doses to be applied according to the risk assessment.
However, the specialist maintained that if the animal, dog or cat, is known or located and the lesions are not found on the head, face, neck, areas of greatest innervation and are not deep and multiple, they will not require receiving the vaccine. anti-rabies. Nor if the biting animal is alive until the tenth day of the incident, so it is very important to monitor said animal during that period.
It is important to vaccinate pets against rabies.
What is rage?
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually from a bite. For this reason, it is crucial that a professional evaluates the risks, indicates the treatment of the wound (dressing or others) and determines the need or not to administer the rabies vaccine.
To prevent this disease, it is important to vaccinate pets against rabies. The Minsa annually carries out free canine Rabies Vaccination Campaigns in the established places and dates. It is recommended to avoid approaching or provoking animals that are unknown or that show signs such as excessive salivation or aggressive or unusual behavior, as they could be carriers of the rabies virus.
Finally, it is important to indicate that exposure to small mammals such as rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and squirrels do not require rabies prophylaxis.
2024-01-08 19:30:26
#Minsa #vaccinated #rabies #dog #bite
