Rabies Exposure Grading

In our daily life, we have all heard of a disease called rabies. Rabies exposure refers to being bitten or scratched by a rabid dog or a creature similar to a rabid dog, which directly infects the skin and mucous membranes with bacteria and finally affects the person's neurological function. Rabies exposure is divided into three levels, and appropriate treatment methods should be selected according to different levels.

Concept Rabies exposure refers to being bitten, scratched, or licked on the mucous membranes or broken skin by a rabid, suspected rabid, or rabies host animal whose health cannot be confirmed, or contact of open wounds or mucous membranes with saliva or tissue of animals that may be infected with the rabies virus.

Rabies exposure is divided into three levels according to the contact mode and degree of exposure

1. Contact or feeding of animals, or licking of intact skin is classified as Level I.

2. Light bites on exposed skin, or minor scratches and abrasions without bleeding are Grade II.

3. Single or multiple penetrating skin bites or scratches, or licking of broken skin, or contamination of open wounds or mucous membranes are Grade III.

Disposal 1. Level I exposed persons do not need any treatment.

2. For those with level II exposure, the wound should be treated immediately and rabies vaccine should be administered. If the person is confirmed to be a Level II exposed person and has a low immune function, or if the Level II exposure is to the head or face and the injured animal cannot be confirmed to be healthy, he or she shall be treated as a Level III exposure person.

Wound care includes thorough irrigation and disinfection. The earlier the local wound is treated, the better. If the wound has scabbed or healed when you see a doctor, wound treatment is not recommended. If the pain is severe during cleaning or disinfection, local anesthesia can be given.

Wound flushing: Use 20% soapy water (or other weak alkaline detergent) and running water under a certain pressure to thoroughly clean and rinse all bites and scratches for at least 15 minutes. Then wash the wound with normal saline (or clean water), and finally use sterile absorbent cotton to absorb the remaining liquid in the wound to avoid leaving soapy water or detergent in the wound. When flushing deeper wounds, use a syringe or high-pressure pulse device to reach deep into the wound for irrigation and cleaning to ensure that it is comprehensive and thorough.

Disinfection: Rinse thoroughly and apply 2-3% iodine (iodine tincture) or 75% alcohol to the wound. If there is a lot of broken tissue in the wound, it should be cleared first.

3. For those who are exposed at level III, the wound should be treated immediately and rabies passive immunization preparations should be injected, followed by rabies vaccine.