I’m sorry to read about Mary Grace, Marco – and hope she soon recovers.
Dog bites are unfortunately relatively common, usually treatable by simple first aid and painkillers. The main complication to prevent is infection. So long as infected bites are treated by antibiotics they rarely cause serious problems.
The bite does allow a break in the skin which can allow the tetanus bug ( Clostridium tetani ) to enter the body. Symptoms of tetanus ( “ lockjaw “ ) can develop from a few days to 3 weeks later.
Tetanus immunoglobulin is given to prevent this. Children are routinely immunised against tetanus – but a booster injection is worth considering for an adult, even if they haven't been bitten. Primary or booster vaccines for tetanus ( also typhoid, hepatitis A, and possibly cholera ) two or more weeks before travel to the Philippines are FREE within the NHS.
If an adult who has been bitten is NOT fully immunised or their booster is not up to date, they require also a “ reinforcing “ dose of tetanus vaccine. Non-immunised individuals require this immediate tetanus vaccine, followed by completion of the full course. Antibiotics may also be given to prevent infection, if the wound is not “ clean “ ( tetanus-prone ).
Rabies from a dog bite is not a condition she needs to worry about in UK – this is what I have said on the forum Health section :-
Recently a British woman bitten by a puppy on a visit to India has died in London, but there have been very few deaths in recent years, all from dog bites abroad ( and a bat-handler in Scotland ). The UK is essentially rabies – free, because of strict quarantine laws.
• Almost always fatal in humans - at least 50,000 deaths worldwide ( an underestimate because rabies may not be notifiable ), and 200 - 300 in the Philippines ( out of 200,000 – 300,000 dog bites) each year. No effective treatment. Traditional healers ( “ tandok “ – placing a deer horn over the wound ) have NO place.
In the Philippines - as elsewhere - dogs ( asong kalye, or strays / abandoned pets ) are the main source. Transmission from humans is not known.
• Rabies viruses enter the body in saliva from a bite, reaching the brain by travelling along a nerve. Incubation - 2 weeks ( or less ) to over a year, depending on where the bite occurred. The old name "hydrophobia" means fear of drinking water because of muscle spasm.
• Most visitors don’t have rabies immunisation. It's only recommended in certain circumstances such as occupation or limited access to medical treatment. Avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals whenever possible.
If members are interested, read more here :-
http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....ghlight=rabies