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Squirrel bite: why is it dangerous, what to do?

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 22.10.2021
 
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As practice shows, in life you need to be able to help a person in any, even the most unexpected situation. For example, protein bites are an event that does not occur every day. However, you need to know what they are dangerous for and what to do if you are bitten by a protein.

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Rabies bite madness

Most often after a bite of a squirrel develops rabies. This is an extremely dangerous condition, especially to a person, and also a socially dangerous one. In humans, rabies is especially hard and often fatal. Transmitted from squirrels through saliva. The causative agent is a virus belonging to the family of Lisaviruses. From the site of the bite, the virus spreads through neurogenic pathways. It moves at a speed of several centimeters per minute. The nerves are gradually spreading the virus towards the brain. Thus, the manifestation of the disease depends on how far the protein has bitten from the brain. The disease develops when the infection reaches the brain. Until the infection has reached the brain, it is still possible to help a person and prevent the disease. Once the infection has reached the brain, the disease will become irreversible, and it will be impossible to help the person. When help fails, rabies always ends in death.

The peculiarity of this disease is that a dominant is formed in the brain of the affected person and animal, which blocks impulses from all other areas. Therefore, whatever signal enters the brain, only the active dominant reacts to it.

The response signal of this dominant is manifested in the form of motor hyperactivity, uncontrolled movements. Spasms, excessive uncontrollable aggressiveness develop. The reactivity and susceptibility of the whole organism gradually increases, all stimuli are perceived as superstrong. Hence, photophobia, drooling, fear of water. The skin becomes dry, has a high sensitivity. Exhaustion, dry mouth, weakness develops, which progresses to the point of complete exhaustion. The disease is mainly accompanied by fever. Much increased separation of mucus and saliva, there is increased sweating, rapid heartbeat, increased blood glucose levels. Do not avoid progressive paralysis of the respiratory muscles.

A characteristic feature is that the disease proceeds in several stages. First, there is an incubation stage at which the disease does not manifest itself. A person may even forget that he was bitten by a protein, there will be no sign of rabies. But then, after a few days and even weeks, rabies will manifest itself dramatically. But it will often be too late, since during this time the virus manages to cause irreversible brain damage.

The symptoms of rabies are very specific and easy enough to distinguish. In addition, they occur in humans some time after being bitten by a dog. The virus accumulates in the nearest lymph nodes and vessels, and slowly moves towards the brain. The main manifestations of the disease begin when the virus has entered the brain, and began to multiply there intensively. The main multiplication of the virus occurs in the brain and spinal cord, and its accumulation also occurs there. Duration is determined primarily by how far the bite is located from the brain. The closer to the brain, the faster the symptoms appear.

After the first signs appeared. The disease proceeds quickly, develops rapidly. In the first stage, rabies proceeds relatively quietly, in a paralytic form. In the second stage, there is aggression, increased sensitivity, uncontrolled physical activity. In connection with photophobia, he begins to hide in dark places, clog up in corners. Gradually, as the virus multiplies, the disease progresses, anxiety and fearfulness increase. Drooling begins. The appearance of these signs indicates the transition of the disease to the next stage. At this stage, there is a sharp feeling of fear, the person becomes aggressive, fearful. A characteristic feature is the desire to escape. Clearly pronounced strabismus. The jaw hangs down, resulting in difficulty in the ability to eat and eat.

There are bouts of rage, violence, which alternate with the stages of the oppressed, depressed state. Usually, the state of depression comes when a person, exhausted from strength, lies motionless on the floor. At this time, he can no longer eat or drink. There are convulsions.

This stage is usually manifested by exhaustion, paralysis, and is fatal. Most often die from paralysis of the respiratory muscles, swallowing muscles. The duration of this stage varies from 12 hours to 3-4 days.

Is squirrel bite dangerous for humans?

It must be understood that the bite of proteins is often dangerous for humans, primarily because protein is a carrier of many infections. The main disease with which protein is associated is rabies. A squirrel can actually infect a person with rabies, but this is not the only disease of which it is a carrier. The bite of a protein is dangerous for a person due to the fact that a protein can infect, for example, with leptospirosis, polio, tetanus, bacterial and viral diseases, and even cause a parasitic infection. The effects of a bite can be unpredictable. The stronger the bite, the greater the likelihood of transmitting any infection.

What is dangerous squirrel bite?

Almost always protein bites are accompanied by pain, burning, the affected area and the skin around it bakes, itches. What is more dangerous bite squirrels? One of the most dangerous consequences is the transmission to humans of an infectious disease. Most often from squirrels can be infected with rabies. There is also a high risk of a bacterial, viral, parasitic infection, especially if there is any contamination in the wound. Often, upon infection, an inflammatory process, purulent-septic inflammation develops. The bite of a squirrel is also dangerous because it is very itchy. It can be combed, infection will fall. This often ends with necrosis and the death of the affected areas. Bacteremia, sepsis develops.

Do squirrel bites die?

No matter how surprising it may sound, but it is impossible to answer the question: “Do squirrels bite?” Is impossible. Cases of death are known, but they do not occur directly from the bite itself, but from those consequences that may develop some time after the bite. Die mainly for two reasons - from rabies, which can infect the protein after a bite, or from a bacterial infection, sepsis, which develops if the bite is not properly processed. Protein can also be a carrier of many other infectious diseases, including fatal ones. For example, death can occur from leptospirosis, tetanus, and other diseases.

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Who to contact?

What to do after a bite of a squirrel?

If you do not know what to do after a bite of a squirrel - contact your doctor. To any. To the district therapist, or just to the nearest medical facility, to the nearest trauma center. If there is no medical facility in the vicinity, you can contact the veterinary clinic, clinic, and they are also required to provide emergency care. The most important thing is to eliminate rabies. Analyzes, vaccinations for rabies will be made. There is no time to lose, because rabies is incurable. First aid must be given before the first signs of rabies appear. If symptoms appear, nothing can be done already, it means that the virus has already begun to multiply, and irreversible consequences have occurred. If you do not give help right away, it is impossible to cure rabies, and it will inevitably end in death. In addition, during this period, people will infect other people and animals. Saliva becomes contagious. When the symptoms of rabies appear, the person will no longer be able to control his behavior. For this reason, rabies is a socially dangerous disease.

Where to call after a bite of a squirrel?

As soon as you bit the protein, you can call the rabies station, which specifically deals with the treatment and prevention of rabies. If there is no such center in the city, you can call any center for the fight against infectious diseases. You can contact the nearest infectious disease ward. If you do not know where to call after a bite of a squirrel, you can call any hospital, clinic, any medical institution of a medical or veterinary profile, and even a trust service, and you will be told what to do next. You can call an ambulance.

Vaccinations after a bite of a squirrel

The main vaccine that must be done after a protein bite is a vaccination against rabies. It should be done immediately, in the first hours and even minutes after the bite. Introduced special rabies vaccine or serum. The need for other vaccinations will determine the doctor. Usually refer to an infectious diseases specialist, a virologist or an epidemiologist. If there are none, then at least to the district therapist, who will determine further actions. It is imperative to consult a doctor, even if there are no symptoms. Protein bites are  extremely dangerous.

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