About Rabies

Rabies is a deadly viral infection caused by infected saliva of animals, which enters the skin through a bite or through contact with previously broken skin. The rabies virus travels to the brain, which swells and is the cause of most symptoms. If left untreated, rabies is fatal. Interestingly, the UK, which had once completely eradicated rabies, has found bats in Scotland that are said to be carrying the rabies virus. A travel doctor in New York will be able to identify symptoms of rabies, which include anxiety, stress, tension, convulsions, heightened sensation or loss of feeling surrounding the area of the bite, pain, restlessness, or loss of muscle function.

A full travel doctor consultation will provide you with the information necessary to determine if you are a candidate for the rabies vaccine. A travel doctor in New York will provide the consultation and give advice on avoiding infected animals. You can learn how to determine if an animal may be infected with rabies by visiting a travel doctor in New York. A travel doctor in New York can also provide medical attention if you think you have been bitten by an animal infected with rabies.  

Rabies Vaccine

Rabies is a unique disease because there is a required rabies vaccine for animals, as opposed to humans. This action has eliminated the disease for most animals in the United States. The most common transmission of rabies, which used to be through dogs, now is through bats, which have bites that can go unnoticed by the victim. A human will receive a rabies vaccine if necessary due to contact with a potentially infected animal, since the rabies vaccine has been proven effective at least up to two days after the original contact. There is no rabies medicine to treat the disease, since the rabies vaccine has been proven so effective post-contact. However, cleaning a bite thoroughly with soap and water is critical, as well as seeking medical help as soon as possible.

However, in more developing countries with greater amounts of wild animals, rabies is rampant. India, Vietnam and Thailand had the highest rabies rates as of 2007; while in the United States, the Midwest has higher rates. A travel doctor consultation will determine if you are at risk. A rabies vaccine is recommended for traveling to developing countries or jungles with limited access to medical assistance, as well as for travelers who will have a high amount of contact with animals.