For the prevention of human rabies, immediate flushing and washing the wound(s) in animal bite cases, with plenty of soap and water, under running tap should be carried out for how much time?
**Core Concept**
The prevention of human rabies after an animal bite involves immediate wound care to reduce the risk of virus transmission. This includes flushing and washing the wound with soap and water to remove the virus from the wound site.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct duration for flushing and washing the wound is at least 15 minutes. This prolonged exposure to soap and water helps to remove the rabies virus from the wound, which may have been introduced by the animal's saliva. This is based on the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against rabies.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Washing the wound for only 5 minutes may not be sufficient to remove all the virus particles from the wound site, increasing the risk of rabies transmission.
**Option B:** Flushing the wound with only water without soap may not be effective in removing the virus, as soap is essential for breaking down and removing the virus particles.
**Option C:** Washing the wound for 30 minutes may be excessive and may not provide additional benefits in terms of virus removal, but it is not the recommended duration.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember, immediate washing of the wound with soap and water under running tap for at least 15 minutes is crucial in preventing the transmission of rabies virus after an animal bite.
**Correct Answer: C. 15 minutes**