Approach to management of suspected rabies exposures: what primary care physicians need to know.
OBJECTIVE
To review the role of primary care physicians, in conjunction with local public health units, in the management of suspected rabies exposures and to outline the current guidelines for the administration of rabies postexposure prophylaxis.


METHODS
Published guidelines on the topic of rabies were reviewed and additional articles were identified from key references. Various public health websites were also explored. Most evidence was level II or III.


RESULTS
Primary care physicians must always consider the risk of rabies when treating patients who have had animal-to-human exposures (eg, bite, scratch), and if indicated, postexposure prophylaxis must be administered as soon as possible because the infection is fatal once clinical symptoms develop.


CONCLUSIONS
Human cases of rabies are almost entirely preventable if suspected exposures are identified and managed promptly and properly. Primary care physicians must continue to work together with local public health officials in order to minimize the threat of this deadly virus.
Grill
Allan K
AK
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario. allan.grill@utoronto.ca
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000592:standards*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012306:Risk; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D011819:Rabies Vaccines