Final answer:
Rabies treatment after a dog or cat bite must begin promptly, typically within a week, to prevent the virus from reaching the central nervous system by boosting the immune response with vaccination, thus increasing survival rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment for bites from rabid animals, such as dogs and cats, needs to be administered as quickly as possible to maximize survival chances. When a person suspects they have been bitten by a rabid animal, it takes about a week for the rabies virus to travel from the site of the bite to the central nervous system. During this window, vaccination can be given to boost the person's immune response, which is crucial to prevent the virus from causing potentially fatal neurological consequences. This same concept is used in treating diseases like Ebola, prompting a more effective immune response to combat the virus's rapid progression.
In essence, vaccines and antiviral drugs play a critical role not only as preventive measures but also as treatments in the early stages of viral infections. This is supported by the understanding that once the immune system combats the initial infection effectively, the overall recovery chances are significantly improved.