Squirrel bite: what is dangerous, what to do?

As practice shows, in life you need to be able to help a person in any, even the most unexpected situation. For example, squirrel bites are not an event that occurs every day. However, you need to know why they are dangerous and what to do if you are bitten by a squirrel.

Rabies after a squirrel bite

Most often, rabies develops after a squirrel bite. This is an extremely dangerous condition, especially for humans, and also socially dangerous. In humans, rabies is especially severe and often ends in death. It is transmitted from squirrels through saliva. The causative agent is a virus belonging to the Lysavirus family. From the site of the bite, the virus spreads along neurogenic pathways. It moves at a speed of several centimeters per minute. The virus gradually spreads along the nerves towards the brain. Thus, the manifestation of the disease depends on how far from the brain the squirrel bit. The disease develops when the infection has reached the brain. Until the infection has reached the brain, it is still possible to help the person and prevent the disease. As soon as the infection has reached the brain, the disease will become irreversible, and it will be impossible to help the person. If no help is provided, rabies always ends in death.

The peculiarity of this disease is that in the brain of the affected person or animal a dominant is formed, which blocks impulses from all other areas. Therefore, no matter what signal enters the brain, only the active dominant reacts to it.

The response signal of this dominant manifests itself in the form of motor hyperactivity, uncontrolled movements. Convulsions and excessive uncontrolled aggressiveness develop. The reactivity and susceptibility of the entire organism gradually increases, all stimuli are perceived as super-strong. Hence photophobia, salivation, fear of water. The skin becomes dry and highly sensitive. Exhaustion, dry mouth, weakness develop, which progresses to complete exhaustion. The disease is accompanied mainly by an increase in body temperature. The secretion of mucus and saliva increases significantly, increased sweating, rapid heartbeat, and blood glucose levels increase. Progressive paralysis of the respiratory muscles cannot be avoided.

A characteristic feature is that the disease occurs in several stages. First, there is an incubation stage, during which the disease does not manifest itself in any way. A person may even forget that he was bitten by a squirrel, there will be no signs of rabies. But then, after several days and even weeks, rabies will suddenly manifest itself. But it will often be too late, since during this time the virus has managed to cause irreversible damage to the brain.

The symptoms of rabies are very specific and easy to distinguish. In addition, they appear in humans some time after the dog bite. 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 penetrated the brain and began to multiply there intensively. The main reproduction of the virus occurs in the brain and spinal cord, where it also accumulates. The duration is determined primarily by how far the bite is from the brain. The closer to the brain, the faster the symptoms appear.

After the first signs appear, the disease progresses quickly, develops rapidly. At the first stage, rabies progresses relatively quietly, in a paralytic form. At the second stage, aggression, increased sensitivity, and uncontrolled motor activity are observed. Due to photophobia, it begins to hide in dark places, huddled in corners. Gradually, as the virus multiplies, the disease progresses, anxiety and timidity increase. Salivation begins. The appearance of these signs indicates the transition of the disease to the next stage. At this stage, a sharp feeling of fear is noted, the person becomes aggressive, timid. A characteristic feature is the desire to run away. Strabismus is clearly expressed. The jaw hangs down, as a result of which the ability to eat and drink is difficult.

There are attacks of rage, violence, which alternate with stages of a depressed, suppressed state. Usually, a depressed state occurs when a person, exhausted, lies motionless on the floor. At this time, he can no longer eat or drink. Convulsions are noted.

This stage usually manifests itself as exhaustion, paralysis and ends in death. Most often, death occurs from paralysis of the respiratory muscles, swallowing muscles. The duration of this stage varies from 12 hours to 3-4 days.

Is a squirrel bite dangerous for humans?

It is important to understand that a squirrel bite is often dangerous for a person, primarily because the squirrel is a carrier of many infections. The main disease associated with the squirrel is rabies. A squirrel can actually infect a person with rabies, but this is far from the only disease that it carries. A squirrel bite is also dangerous for a person due to the fact that a squirrel can infect, for example, with leptospirosis, poliomyelitis, tetanus, bacterial and viral diseases, and even cause a parasitic infection. The consequences of a bite can be unpredictable. The stronger the bite, the greater the likelihood of transmitting an infection.

Why is a squirrel bite dangerous?

Almost always, squirrel bites are accompanied by pain, burning, the affected area and the skin around it burns and itches. What else is dangerous about a squirrel bite? One of the most dangerous consequences is the transmission of an infectious disease to a person. Most often, you can get rabies from a squirrel. There is also a high risk of developing a bacterial, viral, parasitic infection, especially if any contamination gets into the wound. Often, when an infection gets in, an inflammatory process, purulent-septic inflammation, develops. A squirrel bite is also dangerous because it itches a lot. You can scratch it, and an infection will get in. This often ends with necrosis and death of the affected areas. Bacteremia and sepsis develop.

Do squirrel bites kill?

As surprising as it may sound, it is impossible to give a definitive answer to the question: "Do squirrels die from a bite?" There are known cases of fatal outcomes, but they do not occur directly from the bite itself, but from the consequences that can develop some time after the bite. People die mainly for two reasons - from rabies, which a squirrel can infect after a bite, or from a bacterial infection, sepsis, which develops if the bite site is not properly treated. A squirrel 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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What to do after a squirrel bite?

If you do not know what to do after a squirrel bite, contact a doctor. Any doctor. A local therapist, or simply the nearest medical institution, the nearest trauma center. If there is no medical institution nearby, you can contact a veterinary clinic, and they are also obliged to provide emergency care. The most important thing is to rule out rabies. Tests and rabies vaccinations will be done. There is no time to waste, since rabies is incurable. First aid must be provided before the first signs of rabies appear. If symptoms appear, nothing can be done, which means that the virus has already begun to multiply, and irreversible consequences have occurred. If help is not provided immediately, rabies cannot be cured, and it will inevitably end in death. In addition, during this period, a person will infect other people and animals. Saliva becomes contagious. When symptoms of rabies appear, a person will no longer be able to control their behavior. It is for this reason that rabies is considered a socially dangerous disease.

Where to call after a squirrel bite?

As soon as a squirrel bites, you can call the anti-rabies station, which is specifically engaged in the treatment and prevention of rabies. If there is no such center in the city, you can call any center, department for the fight against infectious diseases. You can contact the nearest infectious diseases department. If you do not know where to call after a squirrel bite, you can call any hospital, clinic, any medical or veterinary medical institution, and even a helpline, and they will tell you what to do next. You can call an ambulance.

Vaccinations after a squirrel bite

The main vaccination that must be done after a squirrel bite is the rabies vaccination. It must be done immediately, in the first hours and even minutes after the bite. A special anti-rabies vaccine or serum is administered. The need for other vaccinations will be determined by a doctor. Usually, they contact an infectious disease specialist, virologist or epidemiologist. If there are none, then at least a local therapist who will determine further actions. It is imperative to contact a doctor, even if there are no symptoms. Squirrel bites are extremely dangerous.