Can rabies be treated?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on September 24, 2024
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Rabies, once contracted, is incurable and leads to a 100% fatality rate.

The reason rabies is incurable primarily stems from the rabies virus invading the human body and proliferating extensively within the brain's nerves. This leads to the destruction of brain tissues and the exhaustion of brain functions, making it impossible to treat. Therefore, prevention of rabies is crucial. If there is exposure to the rabies virus, it is necessary to administer the rabies vaccine, and in some cases, it may also be necessary to administer rabies immunoglobulin concurrently.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Can rabies be cured?

Rabies cannot be cured, and once infected and symptomatic, it is 100% fatal with no existing therapeutic strategies. Treatment only involves symptomatic care to alleviate some symptoms of patients but does not improve prognosis; generally, death occurs. Therefore, prevention of rabies is crucial. If exposed to potentially rabid dog or cat bites, it is essential to promptly administer rabies vaccine, and sometimes, it is necessary to concurrently inject rabies immunoglobulin.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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How long is the incubation period for rabies?

The incubation period for rabies is generally about one to three months, and it is rare to exceed one year. Therefore, if more than three months have passed since being bitten by a dog without showing symptoms, it is largely possible to rule out rabies. Rabies is a fatal disease, with a 100% death rate once infected, mainly because the infection occurs after being bitten by rabid dogs, cats, or bats and not receiving the rabies vaccine. Rabies can only be prevented, so if there is exposure to the rabies virus, it is necessary to get vaccinated against rabies.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Does rabies cause headaches and dizziness?

During the apparent symptomatic phase of rabies, symptoms like headache and dizziness may occur, although they are not the main symptoms. More typical symptoms of rabies include hydrophobia, fear of wind, photophobia, and difficulty drinking water. Exposure to bright lights and loud noises can cause whole-body spasms and pain. The disease can also cause facial muscle spasms, leading to distorted facial expressions. Subsequently, opisthotonus may occur, along with drooling, tearing, and tachycardia. Eventually, the patient may fall into a coma and die. Fever may also be present.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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How is rabies transmitted?

Rabies is primarily contracted through bites from rabid dogs who have not been vaccinated against the disease. The rabies virus is present in the saliva of rabid dogs, cats, and there is also a risk of infection from bats if they carry the rabies virus and one is bitten by such a bat. Generally, rabies infection occurs through bites or scratches from animals carrying the rabies virus; there have been no cases of transmission from human to human. Rabies is a fatal disease, so if there is exposure, it is essential to take preventive measures, as there is no cure.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Can rabies be transmitted indirectly?

Actually, the vast majority of rabies cases are caused by being bitten by rabid dogs and not getting vaccinated against rabies. The remaining few cases may be due to bites or scratches from cats or bats, and there are basically no instances of indirect transmission leading to infection. Rabies is a fatal disease, with a 100% fatality rate once infected. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance prevention as there are no treatment options available. Once rabies is definitively diagnosed, isolation must be enforced. If bitten by a rabid dog, it is important to handle the situation promptly by administering rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin.