You can get rabies while having sex

YOURThe early symptoms of rabies are like the flu. These are headaches, fever, and a burning or tingling sensation at the site of the bite. As the disease progresses, the patient may experience nausea, vomiting, hyperactivity, anxiety, and confusion.

PETS can kill if you’re not careful. This happens when they have rabies. The scourge of rabies has been around since 2000 BC. It is considered a neglected tropical disease that is present in 150 countries. The Department of Health said the saliva of a rabid animal, it rabies kills over 59,000 people can transfer to another person yearly. In the Philippines, 200 die via open wounds or the mucous from rabies every year. The Iloilo membranes like the eyes, mouth, Provincial Office added that five or nose. This means you may be people have died from rabies in infected if the sick animal licks an the first three months of 2021. The open cut on your skin. Additionally, victims came from San Dionisio, someone with rabies may spread Ajuy, Estancia, Calinog, and Sara. the infection via sex since the virus Here are some myths and is present in sperm and vaginal misconceptions about the disease: secretions. While the virus that causes the This may be difficult at first

Rabies infects only dogs. FALSE. Rabies is easy to diagnose. disease is usually found in the saliva since the symptoms of the disease

FALSE. of infected stray dogs, any animal do not appear immediately. When can transmit rabies. This includes they do, they are often mistaken cats, cows, goats, horses, bats, and for other diseases. If you are monkeys. bitten by a wild or stray animal,

don’t take chances. See a doctor Depending immediately. The symptoms of rabies appear on where the person was bitten, it immediately. FALSE. normally takes one to three months

People with rabies develop before symptoms appear. In some, The early symptoms of rabies are

hydrophobia quickly. FALSE. this may be as short as four days or like the flu. These are headaches, as long as six years. fever, and a burning or tingling sensation at the site of the bite. As the disease progresses, the You must be bitten by an

Although being bitten by patient may experience nausea, infected animal to get rabies. an infected animal is a sure way vomiting, hyperactivity, anxiety, FALSE. of contracting the disease, you and confusion. can also get rabies through other Other symptoms include partial means. paralysis, insomnia, hallucinations,

Since the virus is present in a n d e x c e s s i v e s a l i v a t i o n

Hydrophobia is the historic name of the disease and occurs in the late stages of infection. This occurs in 80% of patients because swallowing becomes difficult and painful. Unfortunately, once symptoms

Rabies i s curable. FALSE. appear, the disease is always fatal in two weeks. To prevent this, act promptly. If you have been bitten, wash the wound as soon as possible with soap and water for about five minutes to reduce the effects of the virus. You may apply povidone- iodine or alcohol afterwards. See a doctor immediately. To stop the virus from taking hold of

Rabies can be prevented. TRUE. the body and producing symptoms, the doctor may give you a shot of rabies immune globulin. This is usually administered near the area where the patient was bitten and should be done as soon as possible. Doing so will prevent the virus from infecting you. This is followed by four shots of the rabies vaccine in the arm for 14 days.

If you were bitten by a pet or farm animal, this should be observed for 10 days to see if it develops rabies. If not, you don’t need rabies shots. For peace of mind, get vaccinated and do the same for your pets.

*** National Press Club and Philippine Dental Association awardee George N. True II has written two bestsellers based on his popular column which has been running for almost 40 years. For questions about health, com./ email georgenavatrue@ yahoo.