Rabies is an almost uniformly fatal nervous system infection that is caused by the rabies virus.
The rabies virus is present worldwide. It can be spread to humans by many different animals.
In the US, animal bites from wild animals, such as foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats, usually pass the virus on to people. In less developed countries where cats and dogs are not vaccinated against rabies, dog bites are the most common source of rabies.
The rabies virus lives in the saliva of infected animals. It is spread to another animal or a person through a bite or through licking an open wound. In rare cases, people may have breathed in the virus while visiting a heavily infected area, such as a bat cave.
In some recent cases of human rabies, there has been no known contact with a bat or other potentially infected animal. This suggests that very little physical contact with an infected animal may be needed to catch the virus in rare cases.
Symptoms usually develop within weeks of acquiring the virus. However, symptoms may occur days or even years after the exposure.
The symptoms of rabies mainly affect the nervous system and include: irritabilityfeverheadachestingling sensations in the area of the animal biteconfusionmuscle spasmstrouble and pain with swallowingloss of consciousness and comaseizures
The rabies virus causes the infection. Unless people exposed to the virus are treated promptly, death is almost certain. Treatment rarely helps after symptoms develop.
People should receive treatment to prevent rabies if: they have been bitten by a rabid or suspected rabid animalthey have had close contact with the saliva of a rabid or suspected rabid animalthey have been bitten by certain wild animalsthey have a mucous membrane or wound that has come in contact with certain wild animals
Prevention of rabies after exposure involves a rabies vaccine along with a special protein solution, known as rabies-specific immunoglobulin. The vaccine is then repeated on day 3, 7, 14, and 28. People should also vaccinate their cats and dogs to prevent indirect infection with the rabies virus.
In order to know if a suspected animal has the virus, the animal is captured, if possible and euthanized. Doctors can then examine brain tissue from the animal. To diagnose rabies in a person, a series of special tests are done. These may include tests of the skin, saliva, blood, or spinal fluid.
The infection almost always causes death if not treated. Even with treatment, death may occur.
There is generally no risk to others. In theory, a person with rabies could transmit the infection if they bit someone else.
There are no treatments once the infection is established. When exposure to an infected animal is suspected, rabies prevention should be started immediately, as noted previously.
If a person is treated before symptoms occur, they are watched carefully to make sure they don't develop rabies. Once symptoms develop, death usually occurs. Treatment is provided in an intensive care unit, but is generally not successful.
