Rabies: Signs, risks, and causes you should know

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It remains a significant public health concern in many parts of the world, especially where access to vaccines and medical care is limited. Transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected animal, rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. However, it is entirely preventable through timely vaccination and proper wound care.

Understanding rabies is crucial, especially for pet owners, travelers, and people living in areas where the disease is still prevalent. Stay informed to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from this life-threatening infection.


What is rabies?Rabies is transmitted through direct contact with infected saliva or nervous system tissue, typically through bites or scratches from a rabid animal. It's a fatal disease, but preventable. If left untreated, it can spread to humans and pets.

There are two clinical manifestations of rabies: furious and paralytic. Furious rabies is the most common form of human rabies.


What animals are most likely to get rabies from?Rabies is carried by warm-blooded animals (mammals) and collects in their saliva (spit). According to the Mayo Clinic, you usually get rabies through the bite of an infected animal.

The animals most likely to spread the rabies virus to people include:

Pets and farm animals
Cats
Cows
Dogs
Ferrets
Goats
Horses

Wild animals
Bats
Beavers
Coyotes
Foxes
Monkeys
Raccoons
Skunks
Woodchucks


Who is commonly affected by rabies?According to WHO reports, rabies is a global health concern, present on all continents except Antarctica. The disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, and it claims around 60,000 lives annually, mostly in Asia and Africa. Dogs are the primary source of human rabies cases, responsible for up to 99% of deaths.

Children are particularly vulnerable due to their interactions with animals and likelihood of not reporting bites. While there's no effective treatment after symptoms appear, vaccination before or immediately after exposure can prevent the disease. Prompt medical attention is crucial for post-exposure prophylaxis to save lives.


What happens when you get rabies?The rabies virus enters the body through an open wound, usually a bite, when infected saliva comes into contact with it. It slowly travels along nerves to the central nervous system, causing neurological symptoms as it damages the brain. If left untreated, rabies ultimately leads to coma and death.



Symptoms of rabies in humans The symptoms of rabies can take weeks to appear. Once they do, they progress through stages. According to reports, the initial prodromal phase includes flu-like symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Burning, itching, tingling, pain, or numbness at the bite site
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Muscle pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea

Rabies vaccine: Who needs it and how it works
According to MedicalNewsToday, the rabies vaccine isn't typically given to everyone, but rather to those who are at high risk of exposure, such as:

- Laboratory workers handling the rabies virus
- Veterinarians
- People who work with animals or are likely to get bitten

How the vaccine works

The rabies vaccine contains a harmless version of the virus, which triggers the body's immune response to produce antibodies. These antibodies stay in the body and protect against future rabies infections. The vaccine is given in the upper arm.

Pre-Exposure Protection: For those at high risk, three doses of the vaccine are given over 28 days to provide protection.

Post-Exposure Protection: If someone is bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies and hasn't been vaccinated before, they'll need:

- Four doses of the rabies vaccine
- Rabies immune globulin (RIG) is administered near the bite wound as soon as possible to prevent infection

This combination provides immediate protection and helps prevent the virus from causing infection.


How does rabies affect the human body?According to ClevelandClinic, rabies progresses through several phases:

• Incubation: The virus remains dormant in the body for days or weeks without symptoms. Early treatment during this phase can prevent the disease.
• Prodromal phase: The virus enters the nervous system, causing flu-like symptoms and nerve damage, such as tingling or numbness near the bite. This phase lasts 2-10 days.
• Acute neurologic phase: The virus damages the brain and spinal cord, leading to either furious rabies (aggression, seizures, delirium) or paralytic rabies (weakness, paralysis).
• Coma: In the final stage, many people fall into a coma, ultimately leading to death.

Rabies transmissionRabies is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, but can also be present in other bodily fluids like tears and nervous tissue. The virus is not found in blood or feces. While there's no evidence of transmission through cooked meat or milk, handling tissues of rabid animals or slaughtering infected mammals poses a risk.

Human-to-human transmission is rare, but caregivers should exercise caution, avoid contact with saliva and excretions, and practice good hygiene, including hand washing, when caring for patients with rabies.


Tips to prevent rabiesAccording to the Mayo Clinic, you should follow the following tips to prevent rabies:

• Vaccinate pets: Regularly vaccinate dogs, cats, and ferrets against rabies.
• Keep pets confined: Supervise pets outdoors and keep them inside to prevent contact with wild animals.
• Protect small pets: Keep rabbits and guinea pigs indoors or in secure cages.
• Report strays: Inform local authorities about stray dogs and cats.
• Avoid wild animals: Keep a distance from wild animals, especially those that seem unafraid of humans.
• Seal homes: Prevent bats from entering your home by sealing gaps and cracks.
• Consider vaccination: If traveling to areas with high rabies risk or frequently around animals, consult your doctor about the rabies vaccine.

Is rabies always fatal?Rabies is almost invariably fatal once symptoms appear, with no effective treatment available for patients showing clinical signs. According to WHO reports, although rare, some survival cases have been documented, mostly in individuals who received prior vaccination. These survivors often experience severe and debilitating aftereffects. The most effective way to prevent human rabies deaths is by vaccinating dogs, which can stop the disease at its source.



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