Rabies – Symptoms and Causes
Rabies is a viral disease. It affects the central nervous system. The virus is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. This includes dogs, bats, and other wildlife. The virus is usually transmitted through a bite.
However, it can also be transmitted through a scratch. Or, if infected saliva makes contact with a mucous membrane. This includes the eyes, mouth, or nose. Once the virus enters the body, it travels to the brain.
From there, it spreads to other parts of the body. The time it takes for symptoms to appear can vary. It can be anywhere from a few days to several years. However, most people start showing symptoms within one to three months.
The symptoms of rabies can be divided into two types. The first type is known as the prodromal phase. During this phase, the person may experience fever, headache, and fatigue.
They may also experience pain, itching, and tingling at the site of the bite. Other symptoms include muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. This phase can last for two to ten days.
The second type is known as the furious phase. During this phase, the person may experience hyperactivity, confusion, and agitation. They may also experience hallucinations, insomnia, and excessive salivation.
Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing and fear of water. This phase can last for three to seven days.
The third and final phase is known as the paralytic phase. During this phase, the person may experience weakness, paralysis, and a lack of coordination. They may also experience a fever, difficulty breathing, and a loss of consciousness.
Other symptoms include anxiety and confusion. This phase can last for two to four days. After this phase, the person usually goes into a coma. Then, they eventually die.
Understanding Rabies Risk
Bats pose the greatest rabies threat in the United States. This is especially true for the silver-haired bat species. This information might surprise many people who still associate rabies primarily with dogs.
Rabies transmission occurs when virus-containing saliva from infected animals enters the human body. Animal bites are a well-known method of transmission.
However, the virus can also spread in other ways. For example, infected saliva can enter the body through small cuts or when a bat licks a person’s skin.
Public health experts recommend seeking medical attention if you find a bat in your home. This is especially important if you find a bat in a room where someone was sleeping.
Even if there’s no visible bite mark, treatment is advised. This is because rabies is fatal once symptoms develop, with no effective cure available.
The rabies vaccine treatment protocol includes an immune globulin injection and multiple vaccine doses over several weeks.
This preventive treatment is expensive. It typically costs between $3,000 and $7,000. Despite the high cost, the treatment is essential given rabies’ 100% fatality rate once symptoms appear.
Key Facts About Rabies:
- Silver-haired bats are now the most common source in the US
- Transmission can occur without a noticeable bite
- No effective treatment exists after symptoms develop
- Preventive vaccination works if administered promptly after exposure
