Abstract

Rabies is still an endemic public health problem in Turkey. A 9-year-old boy presented with fever, impaired consciousness, respiratory failure and hypersalivation. He had been bitten by a fox on the left eyelid one week ago. Rabies vaccine and hyperimmunoglobulin treatment were administered on the same day as the incident. Physical examination revealed hypersalivation, fever of 40 oC, heart rate 160 /min, respiratory rate 20/min and GCS of 6. There was also a sutured lesion 3x4 cm in diameter on the left eyelid because of the fox bite. Other system findings were normal. Serum, CSF, saliva and neck hair follicle samples were sent for the diagnosis of rabies but only scruff hair follicle impression smear was positive. The child was treated at the pediatric intensive care unit with supportive measures. His general condition deteriorated and he died due to cardiorespiratory failure and rabies encephalomyelitis on the 5th day. This case was presented to emphasize the need of a program that aims for complete eradication of the virus by active immunization of wild animals that may have contact with human and pets

Keywords: Child, Rabies, Fox

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Copyright and license

How to cite

1.
Akyıldız BN, Tekerek NÜ, Ünal N. A Rabies Case Caused by a Fox Bite. Turk J Pediatr Dis [Internet]. 2017 Jun. 1 [cited 2025 May 25];11(2):134-7. Available from: https://turkjpediatrdis.org/article/view/463