Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia

BACK
TO
TOP
 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Rabies

Hydrophobia; Animal bite - rabies; Dog bite - rabies; Bat bite - rabies; Raccoon bites - rabies

 

Rabies is a deadly viral infection that is mainly spread by infected animals.

Causes

 

The infection is caused by rabies virus. Rabies is spread by infected saliva that enters the body through a bite or broken skin. The virus travels from the wound to the brain, where it causes swelling or inflammation. This inflammation leads to symptoms of the disease. Most rabies deaths occur in children.

In the past, human rabies cases in the United States usually resulted from a dog bite. Recently, more cases of human rabies have been linked to bats and raccoons. Dog bites are a common cause of rabies in developing countries, especially Asia and Africa. There have been no reports of rabies caused by dog bites in the United States for a number of years due to widespread animal vaccination.

Other wild animals that can spread the rabies virus include:

  • Foxes
  • Skunks

In rare cases, rabies has been transmitted without an actual bite. This type of infection is believed to be caused by infected saliva that has gotten into the air, usually in bat caves.

 

Symptoms

 

The time between infection and when you get sick ranges from 10 days to 7 years. This time period is called the incubation period. The average incubation period is 3 to 12 weeks.

Fear of water (hydrophobia) is the most common symptom. Other symptoms may include:

  • Drooling
  • Convulsions
  • Bite site is very sensitive
  • Mood changes
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of feeling in an area of the body
  • Loss of muscle function
  • Low-grade fever (102°F; 38.8°C or lower) with headache
  • Muscle spasms
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Pain at the site of the bite
  • Restlessness
  • Swallowing difficulty (drinking causes spasms of the voice box)
  • Hallucinations

 

Exams and Tests

 

If an animal bites you, try to gather as much information about the animal as possible. Call your local animal control authorities to safely capture the animal. If rabies is suspected, the animal will be watched for signs of rabies.

A special test called immunofluorescence is used to look at the brain tissue after an animal is dead. This test can reveal whether the animal had rabies.

The health care provider will examine you and look at the bite. The wound will be cleaned and treated.

The same test used on animals can be done to check for rabies in humans. The test uses a piece of skin from the neck. The provider may also look for the rabies virus in your saliva or spinal fluid, although these tests are not as sensitive and may need to be repeated.

A spinal tap may be done to look for signs of the infection in your spinal fluid. Other tests done may include:

  • MRI of brain
  • CT head

 

Treatment

 

The aim of the treatment is to relieve the symptoms. Clean the wound well with soap and water, and seek professional medical help. You will need a provider to clean the wound and remove any foreign objects. Most of the time, stitches should not be used for animal bite wounds.

If there is any risk of rabies, you will be given a series of a preventive vaccine . The vaccine is generally given in 5 doses over 28 days. Antibiotics have no effect on the rabies virus.

Most people also receive a treatment called human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG). This treatment is given the day the bite occurred.

Call your provider right away after an animal bite or after being exposed to animals such as bats, foxes, and skunks. They may carry rabies.

  • Call even when no bite took place.
  • Immunization and treatment for possible rabies are recommended for at least up to 14 days after exposure or a bite.

There is no known treatment for people with symptoms of a rabies infection, but there have been a few reports of people surviving with experimental treatments.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

It is possible to prevent rabies if you get the vaccine soon after the bite. To date, no one in the United States has developed rabies when they were given the vaccine promptly and appropriately.

Once the symptoms appear, the person rarely survives the disease, even with treatment. Death from respiratory failure usually occurs within 7 days after symptoms start.

 

Possible Complications

 

Rabies is a life-threatening infection. Left untreated, rabies can lead to coma and death.

In rare cases, some people may have an allergic reaction to the rabies vaccine.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if an animal bites you.

 

Prevention

 

To help prevent rabies:

  • Avoid contact with animals you don't know.
  • Get vaccinated if you work in a high-risk occupation or travel to countries with a high rate of rabies.
  • Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Ask your veterinarian.
  • Make sure that your pet does not come in contact with any wild animals.
  • Follow quarantine regulations on importing dogs and other mammals in disease-free countries.

 

 

Open References

References

Govindarajan P, Weber EJ. Rabies. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 131.

Singh K, Rupprecht CE, Bleck TP. Rabies (rhabdoviruses) In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 165.

 
  • Rabies

    Rabies - illustration

    Rabies is an acute viral infection is transmitted to humans by a bite or by the exposure of broken skin to an infected animal's saliva. Immunization given early (preferably within 24 hours but certainly within 72 hours) can usually prevent the disease.

    Rabies

    illustration

  • Central nervous system

    Central nervous system - illustration

    The central nervous system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes all peripheral nerves.

    Central nervous system

    illustration

  • Rabies

    Rabies - illustration

    The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The brain functions to receive nerve impulses from the spinal cord and cranial nerves. The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between the brain and the body. The rabies virus spreads through the nerves, first causing flu-like symptoms such as fever and malaise. As the disease advances to the brain, it causes anxiety, confusion, brain dysfunction, progressing to hallucinations, delirium, and insomnia. If left untreated, rabies is nearly always fatal.

    Rabies

    illustration

    • Rabies

      Rabies - illustration

      Rabies is an acute viral infection is transmitted to humans by a bite or by the exposure of broken skin to an infected animal's saliva. Immunization given early (preferably within 24 hours but certainly within 72 hours) can usually prevent the disease.

      Rabies

      illustration

    • Central nervous system

      Central nervous system - illustration

      The central nervous system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes all peripheral nerves.

      Central nervous system

      illustration

    • Rabies

      Rabies - illustration

      The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The brain functions to receive nerve impulses from the spinal cord and cranial nerves. The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between the brain and the body. The rabies virus spreads through the nerves, first causing flu-like symptoms such as fever and malaise. As the disease advances to the brain, it causes anxiety, confusion, brain dysfunction, progressing to hallucinations, delirium, and insomnia. If left untreated, rabies is nearly always fatal.

      Rabies

      illustration

    Self Care

     
       

      Review Date: 7/31/2016

      Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

      The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

       
       
       

       

       

      A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



      Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.