What is the first step that should be taken after being bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies?

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal suspected of having rabies, the first critical and necessary step is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. This must be done immediately after exposure to help remove the virus from the wound site. Following this, you must go immediately to the nearest medical facility to evaluate the condition and receive the necessary medical care. This immediate action is extremely vital because rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is nearly 100% fatal once clinical symptoms appear [1].

The Importance of Immediate Wound Washing

Thoroughly washing the wound with soap and water immediately after exposure to the suspected animal is a basic first aid step. This procedure helps reduce the amount of virus at the site of the injury and lowers the risk of it reaching the central nervous system. The washing must be vigorous and continuous for at least a quarter of an hour. This simple step can make a significant difference in preventing the development of the disease [1].

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

After washing the wound, you must seek emergency medical care immediately. Physicians will assess the severity of the exposure and determine if you need Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). This treatment usually consists of a series of measures aimed at preventing the virus from reaching the brain and spinal cord. These measures include: [1]

• Receiving a series of rabies vaccines: These vaccines are administered over several days and are essential for building immunity against the virus.
• Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) injection: In some cases, especially with deep or multiple wounds or those involving mucous membranes, rabies immune globulin may be injected directly into and around the wound. This provides immediate, short-term protection while the vaccine begins to work [1].

It is very important to adhere to the full schedule of vaccines and immune globulin as determined by the physician, even if the animal shows no obvious symptoms. It should be noted that rabies can spread through saliva via bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucous membranes or open wounds [1].

Why Speed Is Crucial

The incubation period for rabies typically ranges from two weeks to three months, but it may vary from one week to a full year. Once the virus affects the central nervous system and clinical symptoms appear, the disease is fatal in almost all cases [1]. Therefore, immediate initiation of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is the only effective way to prevent death. There is no known cure for rabies once symptoms appear [2].

Warning Signs and When to Act

Any bite or scratch from an unknown animal or a wild animal (such as bats, foxes, raccoons, or skunks) should be treated as an emergency requiring immediate medical attention [2]. Even if the bite is small or unnoticeable, especially if it is from a bat, a doctor should be consulted. In rare cases, rabies can be transmitted without an actual bite, through contact between infected saliva and an open wound or mucous membrane [2]. For more information on rabies prevention and the importance of vaccination, you can visit Rabies: Prevention, First Aid, and the Importance of Post-Exposure Vaccination (Arabic).

Medical references

• Rabies
• Rabies