Can rabies virus be detected?

Many people have been bitten or scratched by dogs. The most important thing is to get the rabies vaccine in time to prevent the occurrence of rabies. Can rabies virus be detected? It is understood that rabies virus cannot be detected by serum examination before the disease occurs. The virus can only be detected after the disease occurs, but it is already too late at this time. Rabies attacks quickly and there is no good treatment.

1. Can rabies virus be detected?

If the disease is not present, blood tests will not reveal it. If the disease occurs, the virus may be detected in the patient's saliva and cerebrospinal fluid, and the isolation rate in saliva is higher. Take saliva, cerebrospinal fluid or skin tissue samples with hair follicles at the back of the neck and use PCR to measure RNA. Serum antibody tests can also be performed.

1. Classification of rabies 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. 1. Level I exposed persons do not need any treatment.

3. Rabies virus wound treatment

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.

1. Wound flushing: Use 20% soapy water (or other weak alkaline detergent) and running water at 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.

2. 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.