The risk of infection exists whenever a violent encounter occurs between animal and human. Diseases like rabies and tetanus are still occasionally seen in the U.S., and certain types of animals can transmit other diseases as well. These may cause them to be sick and irritable, leading them to bite.

Other disease-causing organisms, also known as pathogens, use the animal as a “vector”, that is, a carrier that remains healthy but can pass the microbe to humans. There are lots of bacterial infections, but public health officials are often most concerned about a virus: Rabies.

Find out all you need to know about rabies in the video below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

Don’t forget to check out our latest book “Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman’s Guide to Available Antibacterials in Austere Settings” as well as all Nurse Amy’s medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net.