Friday, May 25, 2012

Cujo Gave Me Rabies

I remember working in the Pediatric ICU taking care of a boy who was from another country. His symptoms were strange neurological symptoms. The intensivists were concerned when they began to hear reports that he may have been in contact with bat feces in his home country. They began to discuss the possibility of active rabies infection. One thing that struck with me was the mortality rate of nearly 100%. I don't exactly remember what happened to that boy but I do remember that.


This is going to be a very bad day if you have your character contract rabies. Rabies infection is almost 100% fatal even with treatment. Did you know that? Once you're past the point of no return, it's time to buy your coffin.

I thought I'd follow up last post by talking about rabies infection. As previously stated, rabies infection related to dog bites is rare in the USA due to widespread vaccination of the mangy mutt population (I own a dog so I can say this.)

Rabies infection occurs through the saliva of an infected animal when a bite breaks the skin. The incubation period is anywhere from 10 days to seven years (yes, I really typed years!) Though the average is 2-7 weeks. Still a long time if you thought the bite was fairly inconsequential. Incubation period is from the time of infection to the time symptoms are exhibited. During the incubation period, you can feel fine. This is the trouble with rabies infection. Treatment needs to be started before the symptoms start. However, in a person that feels fine, they may not seek treatment.

That's the crux of the issue. Anyone else have plots developing in their mind?

Once symptoms appear, death usually ensues within seven days from respiratory failure.

Here are some further resources that discuss rabies infection.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002310/

http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/rabies/article_em.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rabies/DS00484

How about you? Ever written a scene that involved the transmission of rabies?
Posted by Jordyn Redwood at 1:00 AM
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10 comments:

  1. UnknownMay 25, 2012 at 7:14 AM

    Oh, how yummy! Thank you for being the character doc--you are always so informative. I appreciate what you do!

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    1. Jordyn RedwoodMay 25, 2012 at 1:49 PM

      Charmaine-- it's good to see you back here! Thanks so much for the comment and compliment. Has the writing life been treating you?

      Delete
  2. Tanya GoodwinMay 25, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    Yikes! I'm leaving for Carlsbad New Mexico on Monday for a locum tenens OB gig. Having never been there, I shudder to think what prowls around there, bats included. The weather forecast predicts days of 100 degrees. This New Yorker will be staying indoors!

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    Replies
    1. Jordyn RedwoodMay 25, 2012 at 1:50 PM

      Oh Tanya--- you have safe travels. Let me know about your adventures.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousMay 25, 2012 at 4:28 PM

    My old man used to tell us a story about being bitten by a rabid raccoon. This would have been in the 1930s. He claims he had to take a series of very painful shots in the stomach. Do you reckon there's any truth to that. (The old man was bad to lie.)

    It's amazing that there's still no cure. Enjoyed the blog.

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  4. Redwood's Medical EdgeMay 25, 2012 at 5:01 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Jordyn RedwoodMay 25, 2012 at 5:04 PM

    Actually, your father is correct. Rabies prophylaxis injections were given in the stomach. This doesn't happen anymore but it is still a series of intramuscular injections given in the arm.

    Here's a link that further explains.

    http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_are_rabies_treatment_shots_given_in_the_stomach

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  6. J.D. HughesMay 26, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    I can see I am going to be asking you lots of questions in the future since I'm writing (partly) horror. There is a pivotal medical condition in my short story 'Issue 49', which you might enjoy - if that's the right expression.
    https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/117073

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  7. Jordyn RedwoodMay 26, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    JD-- Thanks for leaving a comment. Now, I'm all intrigued about that short story.

    I'm defintely open to writing related questions. Let me know.

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  8. UnknownMay 28, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    Jordyn,

    Writing is going well! Just released a middle-grade fiction, Thief of Heaven.

    Ironically, our neighbor's dog bit me on Friday. It didn't break the skin, but believe me, rabies have been on my mind since then!

    ReplyDelete

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