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Rabies, a viral disease affecting the nervous system, is most commonly transmitted through an animal bite. This eMedTV article discusses the transmission, treatment, and diagnosis of rabies, and explains which animals are most likely to have rabies.
What causes rabies? As discussed in this portion of the eMedTV Web site, rabies may be caused by a bite from an infected animal, non-bite exposure, or human-to-human transmission. In most cases, what causes rabies is a bite from a rabid animal.
The rabies virus is an RNA virus that attacks the nervous system in mammals, including humans. This eMedTV page describes how the virus is transmitted (usually by an animal bite) and explains how rabies may cause serious symptoms and even death.
There are a few ways that a person or an animal can get rabies, and bites are the most common. This eMedTV Web page takes a look at the steps involved in diagnosing and treating rabies and bites from both domestic and wild animals.
In most cases of rabies, transmission occurs as the result of an animal bite. This eMedTV Web page describes how rabies may also be transmitted through non-bite exposure or human-to-human exposure (which has only been documented in transplant cases).
The rabies incubation period can vary, but it usually lasts one to three months. This eMedTV page discusses the incubation period for rabies and explains that animals are not contagious during this period between infection and the onset of symptoms.
For people with rabies, symptoms may begin with fever, headache, and general tiredness. As this eMedTV article explains, however, symptoms of rabies that may occur as the disease progresses can include anxiety, partial paralysis, and confusion.
Factors doctors consider when making a rabies diagnosis may include the species of animal involved. This eMedTV resource examines other factors involved in diagnosing rabies, such as the animal's vaccination status and where the incident took place.
If a person is thought to have rabies, testing focuses on several samples (such saliva and blood). This eMedTV article looks at how rabies testing is conducted in humans and animals suspected of being infected with the virus.
As this eMedTV article explains, post-exposure rabies treatment involves a series of injections with rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine. While this treatment for rabies is extremely effective, it must be started before the onset of symptoms.
One of the best ways to prevent rabies involves keeping pet vaccinations up to date. This eMedTV page discusses how to prevent rabies and offers suggestions for preventing the disease in animals and humans.
In most cases, the rabies vaccine is given after a person has been exposed to rabies. As discussed in this eMedTV article, when the vaccine for rabies is administered before the onset of symptoms it is extremely effective.
There has been only one case of a person surviving rabies when treatment began after the onset of symptoms. This eMedTV article tells the story of this individual case, yet stresses that there is no cure for rabies once symptoms develop.
As this eMedTV page explains, many countries in the developing world are unable to control rabies, and travel to such countries increases the risk of getting the disease. This article looks at ways to avoid getting rabies while traveling.
Wild animals with rabies accounted for 93 percent of reported cases of rabid animals in the United States. This eMedTV Web page provides statistics concerning wild and domestic animals with rabies in the U.S.
If you are bitten by a bat, rabies is a genuine concern; don't wait to seek medical attention. This eMedTV article discusses bats and rabies, including information about what to do if there is a bat in your house and tips for bat-proofing your home.
Any mammal can become infected with rabies, and squirrels are no exception; however, as discussed in this eMedTV segment, squirrels have not been known to cause rabies in humans in the U.S. Squirrels, like most other small rodents, rarely get rabies.
Statistics concerning rabies and pets indicate that cats are more likely to have the disease than dogs. This eMedTV resource explains the risk that cases of rabies in pets present for humans and stresses the importance of vaccinating pets for rabies.
The cost of rabies prevention in the United States exceeds $300 million each year. This eMedTV Web page discusses rabies-related costs, including the cost per human life saved from rabies, which ranges from approximately $10,000 to $100 million.
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