In the U.S., human rabies cases are relatively rare and are usually caused by bats, sometimes skunks or raccoons. Worldwide, human rabies is more prevalent and is usually caused by rabid dogs. The U.S. laws around vaccinating dogs against rabies makes dog to human rabies cases very rare these days. A century ago, there was no treatment for rabies. There have been many advances in the treatment of the infection, but early intervention is key.
History of Rabies Vaccine
French chemist Louis Pasteur was the first scientist to create a usable vaccine to treat humans infected with rabies. Pasteur, along with other researchers, developed a vaccine to use on rabid rabbits. After several years of success treating rabbits for the disease, Pasteur was presented with a child who had been bitten numerous times by a rabid dog. Pasteur used the same vaccine and inoculated the child over a 12-day period. The boy recovered.
Following the success of human rabies treatment, scientists in the early 20th century used a series of 25 injections into the abdomen over a course of several weeks to treat people who had been exposed to the infection. The treatment was extremely painful and needed to start prior to the onset of symptoms.
Today, people in the U.S. have fairly easy access to the vaccine through hospitals. While there is still a series of shots given over several weeks, the injections are given intramuscularly, rather than in the abdomen. People in other parts of the world do not have easy access to the vaccine which is why there are still deaths in the tens of thousands outside of the U.S.
Symptoms of Rabies
The infection can only be spread through the saliva of an infected animal. Since bats are the primary infectors in the U.S., physicians typically suggest that any child who has had exposure to a bat in their sleeping area receive the rabies vaccine. This is because children tend to be deep sleepers and bat teeth are so sharp, a child may not realize they've been bitten.
The rabies infection spreads throughout the central nervous system. Symptoms may begin within a week of exposure or may take many months to develop. Fever, restlessness and irritability may show at the beginning of the virus. Delirium and excessive thirst are common symptoms as the virus takes hold of the body. Eventually (typically within a week of the start of symptoms) seizures and respiratory arrest lead to death. There is currently no treatment available after the virus has attacked the body.
The Future of Rabies Treatment
The Times of India recently reported on the use of nano-particles to treat rabies, even after symptoms begin. Dr. Sironman, who made the possible treatment discovery, says that the nano-particles can cross the brain-blood barrier, which is critical in stopping the rabies virus. Another treatment, known as the Milwaukee Protocol, has also shown some promise in treating several people with rabies. Patients are placed into a chemically-induced coma and administered anti-viral drugs intravenously. This treatment has not been successful in majority of cases though, and continues to be revised.
Anyone who suspects they may have come in contact with a rabid animal should talk to their physician. The same is true if you should discover a bat in your home. Ideally, the bat could be tested for rabies to find out if treatment is warranted, but often this is not the case and a decision needs to be made about whether or not to seek treatment.
For more information on rabies, see also the Centers for Disease Control and Kid's Health.
For additional facts on Louis Pasteur, go to Louis Pasteur biography.
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