What should you do if a dog bites you? Let’s learn what to do to protect yourself from rabies, a disease that is fatal once it develops.

Rabies is a deadly disease for which no successful cure has been found so far. Once a person is infected, death is almost certain.

If you are bitten or scratched by a rabid dog or cat, the rabies virus can enter your body. In addition, bites from animals such as squirrels, monkeys, mongooses, and wild rats can also transmit rabies.

Even if the saliva of a rabid animal comes into contact with an open wound or sensitive areas like the eyes, infection can still occur.

What should you do if a dog, cat, or any other animal bites or scratches you?

Step 1: Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for 10 minutes.

Step 2: If you have an antiseptic such as iodine, clean the wound with it.

Step 3: Although rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, receiving proper post-exposure vaccination after an animal bite can completely prevent the disease and provide full protection.

Therefore, after cleaning the wound, you should immediately go to the nearest government hospital and seek medical advice.

Step 4: If the animal that bit you has a vaccination card for rabies, take it with you and show it to the doctor. The vaccination status of the animal helps determine your treatment plan.

Step 5: If you are prescribed multiple doses of the rabies vaccine, the hospital will give you a card with the scheduled dates. You must return on those dates to receive the remaining doses. You can also continue vaccinations at any nearby hospital that provides rabies vaccines.

Step 6: If you are advised to observe the animal for 14 days, keep it confined or tied up and monitor it closely. If the animal shows abnormal behavior, illness, or dies, seek medical advice immediately.

Following these six steps can save your life from rabies.