Especialidades JA/Primeros auxilios/Mordedura de animales

Una infección que se debe tener mucho cuidado en casos de mordeduras de animales es la rabia. Esta enfermedad es causada por un virus que está presente en la saliva de los animales infectados. La enfermedad se encuentra más en los animales salvajes, pero se ha encontrado en los animales domésticos. De hecho, es probable que todos los mamíferos son susceptibles al virus. El virus que causa la rabia se transmite normalmente por una mordedura, pero puede ser transmitida por la saliva de un animal infectado que entra en contacto con una herida reciente o con la membrana mucosa y delgada de los labios o la nariz. El virus no penetra la piel intacta y normal. Si la piel se rompe, NO intente cerrar la herida.

If rabies develops in man, it is usually fatal. A preventive treatment is available and it is very effective, but only if it is started shortly after the bite. Since the vaccine can be obtained only at a medical treatment facility, any person bitten by an animal must be transferred quickly to the nearest treatment facility for evaluation, along with a complete report of the circumstances surrounding the incident. Remember, prevention is of utmost importance. Immediate local treatment of the wound should be given. Wash the wound and the surrounding area carefully, using sterile gauze, soap, and sterile water. Use sterile gauze to dry the wound, and then cover the wound with a sterile dressing. DO NOT use any chemical disinfectant. All of the animal’s saliva must be removed from the victim’s skin to prevent further contamination of the wound. CAUTION: DO NOT allow the animal’s saliva to come in contact with open sores or cuts on your hands. When a person has been bitten by an animal, every effort must be made to catch the animal and to keep it confined for a minimum of 8 to 10 days. DO NOT kill it if there is any possible chance of catching it alive. The symptoms of rabies are not always present in the animal at the time the bite occurs, but the saliva may nevertheless contain the rabies virus. It is essential, therefore, that the animal is kept under observation until a diagnosis can be made. The rabies treatment is given if the animal develops any definite symptoms, if it dies during the observation period, or if for any reason the animal cannot be kept under observation. Remember that any animal bite is dangerous and MUST be evaluated at a treatment facility.