What is Rabies

Rabies is an infection that affects the brain and central nervous system. It is caused by a virus that can be carried by many kinds of animals. The virus can spread from an infected animal to a person through a bite.

If you have been bitten by an animal with rabies, it is very important that you get treatment right away. Infection almost always results in death, but early treatment may prevent an infection from developing.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by a virus that can be carried by many kinds of animals, including dogs, cats, skunks, bats, woodchucks, raccoons, coyotes, and foxes. The virus spreads through the saliva of infected animals. Most people who get rabies get it from an animal bite.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition usually start 1–3 months after you are bitten. By the time symptoms start, it is usually too late for lifesaving treatment. Symptoms may include:

• Headache.
• Fever.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Agitation.
• Anxiety.
• Confusion.
• Unusual behavior, such as hyperactivity, fear of water (hydrophobia), or fear of air (aerophobia).
• Hallucinations.
• Insomnia.
• Weakness in the arms or legs.
• Difficulty swallowing.

Most people who are treated right away will never have symptoms.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your history of exposure to animals and animal bites.
• Your symptoms.
• Saliva tests.
• Blood tests.
• Skin test. Skin samples are taken with a needle.
• Spinal fluid test. Spinal fluid samples are taken with a needle that is inserted into your back (lumbar puncture).

How is this treated?

Treatment is often started right away, even if it is not known for sure if the animal that bit you has rabies. Treatment, called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), aims to prevent the infection from developing. It involves:

• Cleaning the wound.
• Getting an injection to strengthen your body’s defense against the rabies virus (immune globulin).
• Having a series of rabies vaccine injections, usually given over a 2-week period.

If the animal that bit you has been caught and is alive, it will be watched to see if it remains healthy. If the animal has been killed, it can be tested for rabies.

Follow these instructions at home:

Caring for your injury

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
• Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
  • Warmth.
• Keep the wound dry for as long as told by your health care provider.
• Keep the wound raised (elevated) above the level of your heart as much as possible.
• Rest the injured area. Do not use the injured area until your health care provider says it is okay.

General instructions

• If the animal that bit you was tested for rabies, ask your health care provider or the department performing the test, when the test results will be ready. It is your responsibility to get the test results.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Stay away from stray or wild animals.
• Get the rabies vaccine if you:
  • Plan to travel to an area where rabies is common.
  • Have a job or hobbies that involve possible contact with wild or stray animals.
• Make sure your pet stays up to date with rabies vaccinations.
• Watch your pets when they are outside. Keep them away from wild animals.
• Report any stray animals to the local animal control services.

Get help right away if you:

• Are bitten by a wild or stray animal.
• Have had any direct exposure to a bat.
• Have any symptoms of rabies infection.
• Have signs that your wound is infected, including:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain around your wound.
  • Fluid or blood coming from your wound.
  • Pus or a bad smell coming from your wound.
  • Your wound feels warm to the touch.

Summary

• Rabies is an infection that affects the brain and central nervous system.
• This condition is caused by a virus that can be carried by many kinds of animals, including dogs, cats, skunks, bats, woodchucks, raccoons, coyotes, and foxes.
• The virus can spread from an infected animal’s saliva to a person through a bite.
• If you are bitten, get treatment right away. This may prevent an infection from developing. Symptoms of an infection usually do not start until 1–3 months after you are bitten. By then it may be too late for lifesaving treatment.