How is rabies transmitted?
Dec 24, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, rabies can be transmitted through laboratory exposure, organ or tissue transplantation, animal bites or scratches, contact with wild animals, and contact of animal saliva with wounds or mucous membranes. Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin are important preventive measures and should be administered completely according to a physician's guidance to ensure adequate protection.
Generally, rabies can be transmitted through laboratory exposure, organ or tissue transplantation, animal bites or scratches, contact with wild animals, and contact of animal saliva with wounds or mucous membranes. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Laboratory exposure: Unintended contact during laboratory operations, such as inhaling aerosols containing the virus or directly touching infected materials, may cause researchers to become infected with the rabies virus.
2. Organ or tissue transplantation: If a donor unknowingly carries the rabies virus, transplanted organs or tissues may contain the virus, potentially infecting the recipient.
3. Animal bites or scratches: The rabies virus is primarily transmitted to humans through bites or scratches from animals infected with the rabies virus. When these animals carry the virus and bite a person, the virus can enter the human body through the wound.
4. Contact with wild animals: Wild animals such as bats, raccoons, and skunks may also carry the rabies virus, and contact with them can lead to infection.
5. Contact of animal saliva with wounds or mucous membranes: The rabies virus can also be transmitted through contact of animal saliva with human wounds or mucous membranes, such as the mouth, nasal cavity, and eyes.
Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin are important preventive measures. A complete vaccination schedule should be followed as directed by a physician to ensure adequate protection.
