Precious’ family suspected she was infected when a feral cat scratched her near her home in Willow Creek, California — but they had no idea anything was wrong until she started developing pains all over her body and her muscles began locking up!
Her grandma Shirley rushed her to the doctor, who referred Precious to the University of California Davis Children’s Hospital.
After running a series of tests, doctors discovered she had rabies — an incredibly rare disease that affects fewer than ten people in the U.S. each year. Another 30,000 people are exposed each year, but are given the vaccine before the disease can take hold — an option not available for poor Precious.
Once infected, rabies attacks the central nervous system and sufferers experience a swelling of the brain which is then almost always followed by death.
As soon as she was diagnosed, Precious was placed in a drug-induced coma and given anti-viral medication. During two weeks in intensive care, Precious’ immune system fought back and she made an incredible recovery.
Doctors have now told Precious she can go home on June 22, thrilling family members who were prepared for the worst. Grandma Shirley tells the Sacramento Bee, “You can’t believe it, but she’s a fighter and she fought through it.”
We couldn’t put it better ourselves. What a brave little girl!