4 Ways to Prevent Rabies

1. Avoid Contact With Rabies Carriers

To prevent rabies, limit your exposure to the virus or avoid it altogether. Since the rabies virus is primarily passed to humans by rabid animals, you can implement some safety tips to avoid rabies carriers. First, don't touch stray or wild animals. If you encounter any animals that are foaming at the mouth or appear to be behaving aggressively or abnormally, call the nearest animal control unit. To make sure your house pets don't get infected by a rabid animal, see to it that all their shots are current. Make sure your children understand that they're not to go near stray or unfamiliar animals. You can contract rabies from a dead animal, too, so teach them to stay away. Block off any potential entranceway a rabid animal could take to get in your house.

2. Vaccinate Yourself

If your job puts you at high risk for coming into contact with rabid animals, or you want the security of a preventative measure because of an outdoor lifestyle, you can also get vaccinated against rabies. The procedure is known as a "pre-exposure prophylaxis," and it takes place over a four-week period. You can later get booster shots to ensure that the vaccine remains current.

3. First Steps if You Are Bitten

If you're unlucky and encounter a rabid animal that bites you, there are a few things you can do to try to stave off infection with rabies. First, let the wound bleed, since this helps the body naturally fend off invading microorganisms. Then, as soon as you can, wash the wound throughly, with soap. In a pinch, you can flush it thoroughly with water. In all cases, get to the hospital as quickly as possible.

4. Be Careful While Traveling

In certain parts of the world, rabid dogs commonly parade through city streets. If you're heading to Asia, the Caribbean or Africa, you should consider getting a rabies vaccination before you leave. Otherwise, you risk finding yourself needing medical attention in a strange country that may or may not be able to provide you with adequate emergency care.