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Backpacker Magazine – August 2008

Survive This: Bitten by a (Rabid?) Animal

Chomped by a critter? Here's what to do.

by: Lora Shinn

(Illustration by Christina Ung)

Health
Survival
Threats

Predicament: You're crawling into your tent when your hand brushes something small and furry. You recoil–but not before a bat bites your finger. Blood seeps from the wound as you wonder, "Was it rabid?"

Lifeline: First, stop the bleeding by applying pressure with a clean cloth, then begin cleansing. Immediate, vigorous washing can prevent the transmission of the rabies virus. Irrigate the bite with a high-pressure jet of clean water from a syringe or hydration bladder, then clean it with soap and water. Also apply antiseptic wipes soaked with benzalkonium chloride, alcohol, or povidone iodine, which minimize risk of transmission. Do not close the wound; keep it loosely covered and clean it daily to prevent general infections.

If you can kill the animal, do so. Otherwise, record the species, behavior, appearance, and location. Rabies is a rare but deadly disease (three Americans died from it in 2006), so immediately hike out to seek medical treatment. Vaccinations are most effective when started within 24 to 36 hours of infection. Once symptoms appear, which takes between a week and several months depending on the proximity of the bite to the brain, it's too late.

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READERS COMMENTS

I'm a veterinarian who practices in Cambridge Ontario. We witnessed a case of rabies in one of our canine patients several years ago (the dog died, of course, very sad). I've reviewed this wiki article and it's pretty accurate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabies

Please don't take any chances when faced with rabies! Get post-exposure treatment immediately if bitten by an animal. And, please vaccinate your pets, even the "indoor" ones.
Posted: Dec 04, 2011 Louise Langlais

@Erin, having taken multiple first aid, emergency preparedness, etc. course, the recommendation is always to clean the wound. I am curious what the sources for your method are?
Posted: May 27, 2011 Luke

The symptoms are death. But it starts with fever and quickly you are in a coma. Please wash the wound first. Soap and water wash for 5 mins should kill the virus. But always get post exposure vaccinations. I've had the post exposure vaccines - there not too bad.
Posted: May 27, 2011 Danielle

Clean the bite. Stop the Bleeding. Forget first step if major. If animal is killed in scuffle bring it. (Might save you from a series if PROVEN to be no rabid) If animal is not dead procede to next step. Get off the trail and to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible by any means neccessary (Walk or Rescue). Forget about species and all that crap. If you can't prove the bite is not rabid they'll give you the Vaccination series regardless. Then wait and pray.
Posted: May 24, 2011 C

I respectfully choose to disagree with the first step. If you get any sort of puncture wound, particularly an animal bite, you should allow blood to flow freely to "clean" out the wound.
Posted: Aug 30, 2010 Erin

I would like to know in the article what are the symptoms???
Posted: Apr 13, 2010 AA1PR

Thanks for the tip!
Posted: Oct 02, 2008 Jay