A 17-year-old boy is hospitalized with recent-onset insomnia, headaches, periodic agitation, and dysphagia. He is a high school student interested in becoming a veterinarian. He owns a snake, fish, and parrot and, about 4 weeks ago, went on a field trip to study bats in a cave. The patient has no known medical problems and is not taking any medications. He does not consume alcohol and has never used illicit drugs. Despite hospitalization and treatment, he develops painful spasms, progressive paralysis, and coma and dies. Which of the following interventions would have most likely prevented this student from developing this illness?

Question

A 17-year-old boy is hospitalized with recent-onset insomnia, headaches, periodic agitation, and dysphagia.  He is a high school student interested in becoming a veterinarian.  He owns a snake, fish, and parrot and, about 4 weeks ago, went on a field trip to study bats in a cave.  The patient has no known medical problems and is not taking any medications.  He does not consume alcohol and has never used illicit drugs.  Despite hospitalization and treatment, he develops painful spasms, progressive paralysis, and coma and dies.  Which of the following interventions would have most likely prevented this student from developing this illness?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: In the United States, bats are the main source of rabies (only transmitted by mammals).  Agitation and spasms progressing to coma within weeks of exposure is strongly suggestive of rabies encephalitis.  Prophylactic vaccination is recommended for individuals at high risk for exposure to rabid animals or their tissues.  The approved rabies vaccines consist of various rhabdovirus strains grown in tissue cell culture and then inactivated.

A 17-Year-Old Boy Is Hospitalized with Recent-Onset Insomnia, Headaches, Periodic