We will tell you about one of the most dangerous infectious disease.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals.
The rabies virus is usually transmitted through a bite.
Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease nearly always causes death. For this reason, anyone who may have a risk of contracting rabies should receive rabies vaccinations for protection.
Symptoms:
The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to those of the flu and may last for days.
Later signs and symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Hyperactivity
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive salivation
- Fear brought on by attempts to drink fluids because of difficulty swallowing water
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Partial paralysis
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical care if you're bitten by any animal, or exposed to an animal suspected of having rabies.
Based on your injuries and the situation in which the exposure occurred, you and your doctor can decide whether you should receive treatment to prevent rabies.
Even if you aren't sure whether you've been bitten, seek medical attention.
For instance, a bat that flies into your room while you're sleeping may bite you without waking you.
Causes
Rabies infection is caused by the rabies virus.
The virus is spread through the saliva of infected animals. Infected animals can spread the virus by biting another animal or a person.
In rare cases, rabies can be spread when infected saliva gets into an open wound or the mucous membranes, such as the mouth or eyes. This could occur if an infected animal were to lick an open cut on your skin.
Animals that can transmit the rabies virus
The animals most likely to transmit the rabies virus to people include:
Pets and farm animals:
- Cats
- Cows
- Dogs
- Goats
- Horses
Wild animals:
- Bats
- Beavers
- Coyotes
- Foxes
- Monkeys
- Raccoons
- Skunks
Treatment
Once a rabies infection is established, there's no effective treatment.
Though a small number of people have survived rabies, the disease usually causes death.
For that reason, if you think you've been exposed to rabies, you must get a series of shots to prevent the infection from taking hold.
Symptomatic rabies is not curable.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rabies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351821
