The story of Wachira Wa Wambui who was laid to rest last Friday due to rabies after being bitten by his own dog 2 months ago reminds me of the same incident that happened to me almost around the same time ago where I was attacked by some dogs.
I did lots of research about rabies and tetanus at that time, and those are the worst ways any human can die. For rabies once the signs show it’s already too late and nothing can be done, the virus slowly goes to the brain through the nervous system and attacks the brain and that’s when the symptoms start to show. The virus blocks the entry points where drugs are supposed to get into the brain making medicines ineffective. Hydrophobia the fear of water strikes due to painful muscle spasms on the throat when you swallow anything that is why you’ll see the victims both human and animals salivate because swallowing just a pinch of saliva makes it feel like you are swallowing hot lava. There is also photophobia and excessive aggression as the virus attacks the brain leading to breathing problems, seizures and finally cardiac arrest.
The mortality rate is almost 100%. There have been only 6 documented survivors of rabies with only 3 making a full recovery. This was possible due to very specialised care and induced coma on the patients.
For tetanus the tetanus bacteria is everywhere around us especially in the soil and manure. The reason it isn’t very common is because the bacteria can’t survive/multiply in oxygen rich environments that is why light cuts mostly don’t lead to tetanus. Unlike popular belief rusty nails don’t cause tetanus, it’s a common belief because the nail goes deep into the flesh where there is little oxygen giving the bacteria a good environment to grow.
The bacteria releases a very potent toxin that affects your nervous system in the brain on the part that controls your muscles and tells your muscles to relax when not in use. This leads to stiffening of the muscles with your muscles involuntarily stiffening leading to painful muscle spasms. That is why the disease is sometimes referred to as the ‘lockjaw’ disease as the first symptom is usually stiffening of the jaw muscles making you unable to open your mouth. The muscle spasms are usually so strong that they break bones in your body. The muscles are usually so affected that you can no longer control your breathing and swallowing leading to death as you suffocate.
With tetanus the mortality rate is still high with less than 20% survival rates. Survivors and even those who don’t make it can spend over 6 painful months in the ICU with full recovery taking years as even doing basic things like walking you’ll have to learn it again.
In both cases you are usually put in a silent dark room as light and noise trigger aggression in rabies and the painful muscle spasms in tetanus.
So it’s very important to get immediate medical attention in a medical facility that has both rabies and tetanus shots. If you are not able to get to a medical facility at that immediate moment, wash the bite area with soap and running water for 15 minutes straight and make sure you get the first shots within 24 hours.
So treat every bite or scratch from any animal as a medical emergency. Also if an animal/pet in your home shows any signs of rabies or dies of rabies also get the shots, it might have scratched you or you handled it inappropriately.
Stay safe