Has a Dog Bite Left You with Rabies?

It’s said that a dog is a man’s best friend, however, will the relationship stand true after one’s trusted canine-companion bites the neighbor down the street in St. George, Utah? A dog bite can evoke the need for a lawyer even though your alert watchdog was only trying to defend his territory. A painful canine attack could require some stitches, but how does one know if he or she has contracted rabies from the incident?

Rabies Defined

Rabies is viral illness that can be spread from the saliva of dogs or other rabid animals, generally infecting humans through bites or open-wound contact. Rabies is common amongst wild creatures, including bats, raccoons, skunks and stray dogs.

After being bit by an animal with rabies, the illness remains in an incubation period, with the infection remaining near the exposure site for a few months. Afterward, the virus travels to the brain and other parts of the human body. However, once the virus reaches the body’s nerves, it becomes incurable. Only one to three people die from rabies each year in the United States.

Symptoms of Rabies

Imagine a neighbor’s loose dog takes a bite at your calf while on your daily run through St. George. After making a call to the local lawyer and making a visit to the hospital, a few days pass and the bandages come off. Though healing seems to begin, a stiff neck, convulsions, dilated pupils and flu-like symptoms are taking place. All of the following are symptoms of rabies.

More serious side effects of the deadly virus could be seizures, progressive anxiety and extreme weight loss while suffering from rabies. Treatment for rabies should be put into effect immediately. Dog bite sufferers might seek legal aid from a lawyer, but victims from St. George to the East Coast should schedule a medical examination to treat their bite even if the animal is believed to not have rabies. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Jeffrey Herbert is a legal writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry. Follow on Twitter