What is hydrophobia?
Hydrophobia is a painful and involuntary spasm of the throat caused by the rabies virus. The spasm is so severe that it is difficult for the patient to drink water. This is a physiological condition, but it looks like a person has a fear of water.
Hydrophobia is formed in the late stage of rabies and unfortunately, in a large percentage of clinical cases, it leads to the death of the patient.
Hydrophobia is considered as a fear of water, however, unlike other phobias, specific psychological symptoms (fear, anxiety or panic) do not appear in this case. Hydrophobia is a symptom of rabies infection.
As you know, water is necessary for health, therefore, the fear of drinking water destroys the body. Unfortunately, due to the spread of the rabies virus and hydrophobia, the human body weakens, and the chance of survival decreases.
What is the difference between hydrophobia and aquaphobia (fear of water)?
Aquaphobia is a real, genuine fear of water, and this feeling has nothing to do with rabies, that is, it is formed directly on the background of a traumatic event related to water.
Source:
https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/mental-health/what-is-hydrophobia/
