Boothgarh, July 31: The facility of anti-rabies vaccine has now been started in the Aam Aadmi clinics under Primary Health Centre (PHC) Boothgarh. Giving this information, Senior Medical Officer Dr Alkjot Kaur said that this facility has been started recently on the instructions of the Punjab Government. She said that the treatment of rabies at Aam Aadmi clinics is absolutely free, while vaccines for the treatment of animal slaughter are already being administered at PHC Boothgarh.
She said that there are three Aam Aadmi clinics at Khizrabad, Palheri and Boothgarh under PHC Boothgarh, which are also called Ayushman Arogya Kendras. He said that vaccination on the first, third, seventh and 28th day of animal slaughter is very important. Anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) prevents rabies. He said that this disease of rabies or rabies is 100 percent fatal but 100 percent preventable, if treated early.
It is generally believed that rabies can be spread only through dog bites. However, contrary to this, this disease is not limited to dogs, but can be caused by bites of various animals including cats, monkeys, goats, bats. This virus lives in the saliva of infected animals and enters humans through animal bites or wounds.
He said that if you have been bitten by an animal or you suspect rabies infection, then seek immediate medical attention and get rabies vaccination. Advising the common people to get proper treatment instead of home remedies, they said that chillies etc. should not be applied to the wound after being bitten by a dog or any other animal. Doing so can lead to fatality.

- Signs and symptoms of rabies:
The initial symptoms of rabies can be fever, headache, nervousness, vomiting and general weakness. As the virus spreads, other symptoms start appearing like confusion, restlessness, fear of noise and water, teething, hallucinations, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, paralysis and finally death.

- Steps to prevent rabies:
Avoid coming into contact with any animal that appears sick or injured.
- Get your pets vaccinated against rabies regularly.

– Do not touch stray animals.
Wash the animal bite site immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.