How to Protect a Child From Rabies

Once a major concern to anyone bitten by a dog or wild animal, the threat of rabies is less today, due to laws requiring vaccinations for domestic animals. However, every bite is potential source of the disease and certain steps are required. If immunization information on the animal is not available, the bite victim will begin treatment for rabies. Protecting a child from rabies is still an ongoing concern.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Teach children not to pet unfamiliar cats and dogs. While the incidence of rabies in domestic animals has dropped greatly, some owners forget to vaccinate their pet. Alternately, an abandoned dog or cat may contract rabies if bitten by a wild animal.

2. Prevent bites from wild animals. If you live in a rural area or camp out, make sure your child does not befriend a wild chipmunk or squirrel. In addition, be concerned if you spot a skunk during the daytime. Skunks are nocturnal animals but when infected with rabies, they often wander about in sunlight.

3. Wash any animal bite thoroughly with soap and water and see a physician. In addition to the threat of rabies, an animal bite can spread tetanus and other diseases. Use lots of soap, antibacterial, if possible, and flush the wound with lots of water.

4. Have your child vaccinated if he or she is at a high risk of contracting rabies. If you live in a rural area where many wild animals, or stray dogs and cats, roam, ask your family doctor about getting the vaccine. If bitten, your child will still require treatment but it will be a fewer number of shots. Get a vaccination if you will be traveling outside the United States to an area where rabies is a concern.

5. Comply with community ordinances and have your pets immunized against rabies every year. Both dogs and cats should receive the vaccination. Protect your child and the community by keeping pets vaccinated.

Tips & Warnings

• Rabies is almost always fatal if the disease develops. Have every bite checked by a doctor and report it to the authorities to be safe.

[rodneysouthern]

on 7/24/2008 Vital and well done how to. Great job from top to bottom. Excellent advice.