Dogs are common in our streets and homes, but a bite can be deadly. If a dog bites you or anyone around you, you must act quickly. This isn’t just about a wound – it’s about stopping a killer disease called rabies.
Rabies is a serious sickness that comes from animal bites, especially dogs. It attacks the brain and can kill if not treated fast. But here’s the good news: quick action can stop rabies before it starts.
Dr. Ashmika Gokhul, a children’s doctor in South Africa, warns, “Every dog bite is an emergency. We can’t tell which dogs have rabies just by looking, so, treat all bites as dangerous.”
Here’s what you must do if you or anyone around you suffers a dog bite:
Wash the bite right away: Use lots of soap and running water. Wash for at least 15 minutes. This helps remove the dog’s spit, which carries the rabies’ germ. If you don’t have clean running water, use any safe drinking water you have.
Go to the hospital immediately: Don’t wait, even if the bite looks small. The doctor needs to clean it properly and start rabies treatment if needed. Every minute counts when it comes to rabies.
Start rabies shots early: If the doctor thinks there’s a chance of rabies, the dog bite victim will need special injections. These work best when given soon after the bite. The first shot is usually given right away, with more shots over the next few weeks.
Find out about the dog: If it’s a pet, ask if it has had rabies shots. If it’s a stray, remember where you saw it. This information helps the doctor decide on the best treatment.
Keep the bite clean: Follow the doctor’s advice to stop other infections in the wound. Clean the bite area every day and watch for signs of infection like redness, swelling, or pus.
Remember, rabies kills if not treated fast. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that once signs of rabies show up, it’s almost always fatal. Don’t wait to see if you or the victim gets sick – by then, it’s too late to stop rabies.
The WHO also tells us that signs of rabies can take weeks or months to show up, but once they do, it’s usually too late to treat. A study in the Annals of African Medicine in 2019 confirms this, saying rabies has a 100% death rate once symptoms appear.
“Time is very important with rabies,” says Dr. Gokhul. “The quicker we treat, the better chance we have to save a life.”
Teach your children to be careful around dogs. Here are some tips to share with them:
• Don’t go near strange dogs, even if they look friendly.
• Never try to pat a dog you don’t know.
• If a strange dog comes near, stand still like a tree. Don’t run or scream.
• Don’t disturb a dog that’s eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies.
But if a bite happens, don’t panic. Clean it, go to the hospital quickly, and do what the doctor says. Your fast action could save a life.
It’s also important to know that rabies doesn’t just come from dogs. Cats, bats, and other animals can also carry rabies. Any animal bite should be taken seriously and checked by a doctor.
In our communities, we can help prevent rabies by:
• Teaching our children about dog safety
• Keeping our own dogs healthy and vaccinated if we have them
• Supporting local health clinics that offer rabies treatment
• Sharing what we know about rabies with our neighbors
Remember, when it comes to animal bites, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Quick action saves lives! If you’re unsure about what to do, ask a health worker or go to the nearest clinic. They are there to help and can guide you on the best steps to take.
Lastly, if you see many stray dogs in your area, talk to your local leaders about it. While we may not be able to solve the problem overnight, raising awareness is an important first step.
Together, we can work towards making our communities safer for everyone, especially our children.
