Reminder when u get biten by a dog

Not All Dogs That Bites Have Rabies

• Dog bites. They don’t throw knock out punches like Pacquiao.

• If you are bitten by a dog,

- Don’t get hysterical.

- Don’t kill the dog.

- Don’t pick a fight with the dog’s owner.

- Relax. Stay calm because rabies virus is not like snake’s venom that will only take less than an hour to kill a human.

- Rabies virus will travel very slowly except if you are bitten in the head area that you need to seek immediate vaccination even though the dog that bit you is vaccinated.

• NOTE: You have to observe the dog within 7 to 14 days because a dog with rabies will eventually die within 5 to 7 days.

• If you got bitten by a stray dog and you cannot locate it anymore, then you need immediate rabies shot.

• You can delay your rabies shot if:

- if the dog is vaccinated against rabies;

- the bite is far from the head; and

- the bite is provoked.

• But still you need to visit your barangay health center to receive anti-tetanus shot especially if the bite wound is deep.

• If the dog is not sick/weak and still active, there is no need for you to have rabies shot.

• But if the dog that bites you becomes sick 5 to 7 days after the biting incident, still relax because there are other diseases that may cause your dog’s sickness. In case your dog dies, you cut the head and put it in leak proof cellophane. Put it inside the ice bucket with ice then submit it at RADDL- DA-7 in Mandaue City to check if it dies due to rabies. LABORATORY EXAM is free.