Rabies prognosis
Treatment after exposure (receiving the vaccines), known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), is highly successful in preventing the disease if administered promptly, in general within ten days of infection. Begun with little or no delay, PEP is 100% effective against rabies.[1] In the case in which there has been a significant delay in administering PEP, the treatment should be administered regardless of that delay, as it may still be effective.
In unvaccinated humans, rabies is usually fatal after neurological symptoms have developed, but prompt post-exposure vaccination may prevent the virus from progressing. Rabies kills around 55,000 people a year, mostly in Asia and Africa.[2]
Survival data using the Milwaukee protocol are available from the rabies registry.[3] As of 2011, seven people have been saved by this induced coma treatment.
References
- ↑ Jordan Lite (2008-10-08). "Medical Mystery: Only One Person Has Survived Rabies without Vaccine--But How?". Scientific American. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
- ↑ "Rabies". World Health Organization (WHO). September 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
- ↑ "Rabies Registry". Medical College of Wisconsin. Retrieved 29 December 2009.