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| The portrait of dr. Gerry Permadi, Sp.PD, the medicine lecturer of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM). (Photo: Istimewa) |
Lately, a video went viral on social media that a child suffering from rabies. However, many people don't still understand what disease is, which eventually motivates dr. Gerry Permadi, Sp.PD., the medicine lecturer of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), to explain rabies.
Rabies, whose viruses spread through infected animals' bites, is deadly. The mortality rate can almost reach 100% if the infected people aren't treated properly. Therefore, knowing the causes of rabies and how to prevent it is crucial.
This disease is transmitted through viruses inside animals infected by rabies, like dogs, monkeys, and cats. "Rabies is usually spread through an open bite or saliva contact from the rabies-exposed animals. The percentage is about 98% from dog bites, while 2% are only from monkey or cats," explains he.
Moreover, the rabies virus will attack the central nervous system in human bodies and can lead to fatal consequences. Mild initial symptoms often experienced are fever and pain around the bitten areas. Meanwhile, people with severe symptoms will experience hallucinations, anxiety, and hypersalivation.
"At that extremely severe stage, the infected will experience paralysis, where they're unable to move as feeling stroke is. It's not just partially paralyzed, but the whole body is until it causes death," says the man known as Doctor Gerry.
Regarding the treatment, he explains that the initial step after being bitten is to wash the bitten area with flowing water and soap for 10 to 15 minutes. After that, immediately go to the nearest hospital to be vaccinated with the anti-rabies vaccine. If the bite wound is severe and spreads to the head, it will be treated with the anti-rabies serum.
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On the other hand, preventive measures can be taken since avoiding the disease risks is better. In Indonesia, twenty-six provinces are still rabies-endemic areas. It means that the seven ones have been declared free of rabies. Meanwhile, the characteristics of the infected animals can be seen in their aggressive behavior. Two of them are excessively producing saliva and carelessly biting.
"Tips to avoid rabies are frequently cleaning pet cages, doing vaccination when traveling or going out in wild areas. It also includes visiting rabies-endemic places. So does keeping pets from being contaminated with the feral environment," ended the medicine lecturer. (imh/lib/wil)
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