Myths about rabies can be as fatal as getting bitten: doctors

The latest news this month that another person has died from rabies in Beijing brings the total death toll from rabies to three so far in 2012. This places the aggressive disease that affects both animals and humans firmly back in the spotlight and concern about how the disease is contracted and controlled is growing.  

One certainty is that the disease is 100 percent preventable. It is people's ignorance and misconceptions that is a main cause of death. 

In order to get the facts straight about rabies, Lifestyle talked to Lu Li, deputy director of the Immunization and Prevention Office at Beijing's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Center for Preventive Medical Research. Here he puts an end to the myths with science.  

Myth 1: it is not just a dog disease 

People know that they need to get a rabies injection after a dog bites them, but they might not know the same applies when bitten by a cat, a rabbit or a bat. All of these can also cause rabies and you need to get the injection quickly. Though rabies is mainly seen in dogs, cats, rabbits and bats also have the potential to carry the virus. "Both stray cats and family cats are dangerous and you need to go to the hospital for sure if they scratch you," said Lu.

Myth 2: absence of blood is not an indicator 

Some believe that it is only if the wound is bleeding that you need to get the vaccine, whereas if the animal has not broken the skin enough to draw blood, then there is no need to go to the hospital. This is incorrect. Lu explains that causing damage to the skin even without blood is as bad as a bleeding wound. "If the dog's teeth break your skin then you need to get vaccinated, even if it is not deep enough to make you bleed. In addition, if your skin has unhealed wounds, don't let dogs lick them," Lu went on. "This could lead to infection." 

Myth 3: the vaccination window is larger than 24 hours

As for the time limit to get vaccinated, it doesn't have to be done within 24 hours according to Lu. "Through this mistaken idea we can see that people are really aware of the importance of the rabies vaccine, but there is no time limit for it; we suggest that people get vaccinated as soon as possible once they get bitten," Lu continued. "But of course the later you get vaccinated, the larger the chance of infection." 

Myth 4: after exposure it's a matter of days and weeks, not months and years  

Most people think the period between infection and the first symptoms can be several years. However, it can be as little as a few days, though usually closer to 12 weeks, and only in very extreme cases, a year or two. In short, there is no cut and dry rule and people just need to get vaccinated as soon as possible. 

Myth 5: treating yourself can only go so far 

When people are bitten by animals, many think they can treat the wound themselves at home in order to prevent further infection. This is a good first start, but not a cure. "Remember to rinse the wound by using running water for at least 15 minutes and then apply medical alcohol or iodine to the wound," Lu said. "But you still need to go to the hospital and get vaccinated." 

Myth 6: an advance vaccine buys you time, but is not a cure

If you have a rabies jab in advance, this will not prevent you from getting the disease. Rather it will just delay the incubation period, thus giving you a bit more time to get to the hospital and have the post-exposure vaccination. It is still a good idea to get it if travelling to a place known to have a high incidence of rabies.