Rabies Symptoms: A Simple Guide to Detecting the Disease

9. After a Bite

If you have been bitten, the first thing you should do is wash the wound with soap and water to try to wash away the virus. Capture the animal if possible but do not shoot it in the head, as technicians need brain tissue to confirm a rabies diagnosis. Go to the emergency room immediately. If you were able to capture the animal, the hospital will likely contact the health department. Anyone who has not received a rabies vaccination will receive human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), injected in the area of the wound, as an immediate response to the virus.