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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Rabies Treatment

Call 911 if:

  • The person is seriously injured in an animal attack.

1. Stop Bleeding

  • Apply sustained pressure for several minutes.

 

2. Clean Wound

  • Wash with clean water and gentle soap for 15 minutes.

 

 

3. Gather Information About Animal

  • Notify the local health department or animal control about animal's possible whereabouts.
  • If the animal is a pet, get owner's contact information.

 

4. See a Health Care Provider Immediately

  • Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
  • If possible, bring information about the animal.
  • If the person was in an enclosed area with a bat, see a health care provider whether or not there is a bite wound. The person may have been bitten and not know it.

 

5. Follow Up

  • If there is any risk of rabies infection, the health care provider will recommend anti-rabies treatment. This may include a series of shots.
  • The person may require a tetanus shot, depending on the date of the last shot.

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Andrew Seibert, MD on October 04, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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