Rabies is a100% fatal, yet preventable, viral disease that causes severe encephalitis (brain inflammation) in mammals, including humans, largely transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Symptoms start with fever, pain, and paresthesia at the bite site, progressing to violent movements, agitation, confusion, and hydrophobia. Once symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal, requiring immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (vaccination and immunoglobulin).
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What Causes Rabies and How It Is Transmitted
- Cause: The rabies virus (a Lyssavirus) causes the disease.
- Transmission: It is transmitted via saliva through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, mouth) or broken skin.
- Primary Vectors: While commonly associated with dogs worldwide, bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are also primary carriers.
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Symptoms of Rabies in Humans
The incubation period can range from 20 to 90 days, though it may vary, according to the
NCID Singapore (4).
- Early Stages: Fever, headache, malaise, fatigue, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting.
- Neurological Stage: Pain or numbness at the site of exposure, anxiety, confusion, agitation, high blood pressure, and excessive salivation.
- Late Stages: Hydrophobia (fear of water), aerophobia (fear of drafts), paralysis, delirium, and coma.
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Stages of Rabies
- Incubation Period: The virus travels through the nervous system towards the brain; often asymptomatic.
- Prodromal Phase: Initial non-specific symptoms like fever and discomfort at the wound site.
- Acute Neurological Phase: Signs of brain dysfunction (furious or paralytic rabies).
- Coma/Death: Almost inevitable if symptoms have started, say the NCID Singapore (4).
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Treatment for Rabies
- Immediate Action: Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
- Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Crucial, immediate medical care involving a series of vaccines and, in some cases, rabies immunoglobulin.
- No Clinical Cure: Once clinical symptoms appear, there is no effective specific treatment, say the NCID Singapore (4).
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Prevention
- Vaccinate pets.
- Avoid contact with wild or stray animals.
- Seek medical advice immediately after a potential exposure, notes the World Health Organization (1).
Rabies | Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS)
26 Nov 2025 — Rabies is a fatal disease caused by the rabies virus that affects mammals, including humans. The virus travels from the site of infection through the nerves and...
National Parks Board (NParks)
Rabies | Communicable Diseases Agency
6 Nov 2025 — Rabies is a fatal, yet preventable, viral disease that infects the central nervous system. It's commonly spread through the saliva of infected animals, such as ...
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Rabies - National Centre for Infectious Diseases
8 Feb 2026 — This information does not constitute medical advice or diagnosis. Rabies is caused by the rabies virus. The incubation period is 20–90 days, but can range from ...
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24 Apr 2026 — The positive rabies case is the second New Mexico has seen in the last ten months. KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY. Rabies virus, illustration. Rabies virus ...
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What is Rabies? Rabies, an acute infection caused by a virus, poses a threat to all mammals, including humans, pets and livestock. In North America, the majorit...
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (.gov)
Rabies: Symptoms and treatment - Canada.ca
8 Apr 2024 — Encephalitic rabies is the more common type of rabies and occurs in about 80% of patients. Encephalitis refers to inflammation and swelling of the brain. Sympto...
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Rabies: One of the Most Deadly Viruses
9 Nov 2025 — Once the rabies virus reaches the brain, it replicates rapidly, causing inflammation and encephalopathy, which leads to the symptoms of rabies. Encephalytic rab...
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Rabies
26 Mar 2025 — Clinical features Rabies usually begins with a non-specific prodrome of fever, malaise, fatigue, anorexia, cough, sore throat, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting,
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7 Jun 2024 — Public Health Management Case (Human) Investigation In suspected human cases, determine possible exposures to known rabid animals. Treatment There is no specifi...
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Current Public Health Situations
If you have been exposed to rabies, seek medical care immediately including post-exposure prophylaxis, which is a series of shots that can protect you from rabi...
Hays County (.gov)
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or a diagnosis, consult a professional. AI responses may include mistakes.
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