Last September 26 was World Hydrophobia Day. The rabies disease is very terrible. The disease is caused by the bite or scratch of dogs , cats and other animals. In 185, Louis Pasteur discovered a vaccine for the disease. Sad but true , people are less aware of this disease. Every year, 55,000 people worldwide die of rabies , most of them children. Hydrophobia is caused by the rabies virus. The virus invades the nucleus of the brain stem, the mbiguus. This part of the brain suppresses the various parts of the body involved in respiration from excessive stimulation and coordinates breathing. But the virus interferes with this work. As a result, when the rabies patient goes to drink water , his throat and airways become constricted and he feels a sharp pain. At the same time, some water enters the main respiratory tract through the trachea and causes constant coughing and a frightening situation. As a result, these patients get scared whenever they see water. That is why the name of this disease is rabies. In addition to the symptoms mentioned, the disease can lead to incoherent behavior , slurred speech , inability to perform daily activities , excessive agitation , shortness of breath and even respiratory failure. Once the symptoms of this disease appear, it takes a serious shape , which leads to death. Therefore, it is important to take steps to prevent this disease. What to do * Beware of scratching or biting animals , such as dogs , cats , foxes, etc. and do not come in contact with them. Especially keep kids away. * Vaccinate domestic dogs and cats regularly. * Arrangements to kill barren and unvaccinated dogs and cats on the streets. * Dogs can be vaccinated in advance even if they are not bitten. On the 0th , 6th , 21st or 26th day three to four vaccines should be given. The first day of vaccination should be '0'. Everyone can get this vaccine. * In case of dog bite, the wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and water for at least 10 minutes. Then povidone iodine should be given. The wound should never be covered with a bandage , cloth or anything else. * Dogs or other animals that may be infected with rabies should be vaccinated immediately if they are bitten or scratched. Vaccination is given on the 0th , 3rd , 6th , 14th and 26th day. Earlier, it was said that if a dog was bitten , the dog had to be monitored for 10 days and if the dog did not die within 10 days, there was no need to vaccinate. But now that idea has been proven wrong. A study of 500 rabies patients at the Infectious Diseases Hospital found that the dogs responsible for 85 of them had long-lived survival. Apart from that, a completely healthy dog can also carry the germs of rabies. Prominent virologist Professor Nazrul Islam killed five completely healthy dogs and examined their brains , each containing a 'negro-body' , which proved the presence of the virus. So a dog that has a seemingly healthy appearance on the outside may also have rabies germs in it. Therefore, if a dog bites, it should be vaccinated without delay. Immunoglobulin injection should be given with. These immunoglobulin injections, however, are quite expensive and inadequate. The price of rabies vaccine is high and the supply is low. It goes without saying that it is not at the upazila level. So most of the people in the village can get rabies vaccine. Many of them do not want to take treatment in the hospital even if they can afford it . As a result, a large population of the village is dying of this disease invisibly. In order to overcome this situation, the government , non-governmental organizations , social organizations and all must come forward. Everyone needs to be more aware. Dr. Abu Saeed Shimul Medical Officer Patia Upazila Health Complex , Chittagong