Is rabies contagious?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

Updated on September 23, 2024

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Rabies is a contagious disease, and currently, rabies is primarily transmitted by bites or scratches from rabid dogs. Additionally, there are risks of infection from bites by cats during their symptomatic phase, as well as from bats. Transmission from human to human is extremely rare. The rabies virus mainly resides in the saliva of dogs or cats during their symptomatic phase. Therefore, the risk is significant if bitten by a rabid dog. Rabies is a fatal disease, with an infection leading to 100% mortality, which makes prevention crucial.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

37sec

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Rabies is transmitted through what?

Rabies is actually a relatively rare disease, but it is a very dangerous one with a 100% fatality rate once infected. In clinical practice, most cases of rabies are due to not being vaccinated after being bitten by a rabid dog. There are also frequent occurrences after being bitten or scratched by a cat without vaccination against rabies. Additionally, there is a risk of infection from bat bites as well. Rabies cannot be treated, and the main approach is prevention. There have been no cases of transmission from human to human, and it can be prevented through rabies vaccination.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

32sec

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Rabies fear of water refers to hydrophobia, a symptom of rabies characterized by a fear or panic attack when attempting to drink water or when presented with liquids.

Patients with rabies are indeed very afraid of water. When trying to drink water, or even when seeing water or hearing the word "water," they experience uncontrollable spasms in the throat muscles and difficulty swallowing. Although they are very thirsty, they dare not drink water. In addition to being afraid of water, they are also afraid of bright lights, noise, and wind. These stimuli can cause whole-body spasms and pain, lead to opisthotonos, excessive nervous excitement, and eventually result in death due to coma.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

40sec

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Can rabies be cured?

Rabies is an incurable disease, and once symptoms develop, it is almost always 100% fatal. However, it is meaningful to use certain medications to control the patient's agitation and relieve their suffering. For example, sedatives such as Valium and phenobarbital can be used. After the onset of rabies, it is essential to isolate the patient and manage the symptoms according to the specific situation. Since rabies is incurable, prevention is critical. If bitten by animals such as dogs or cats, it is necessary to clean and disinfect the wound immediately and then promptly administer rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

40sec

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Symptoms of rabies

Rabies is an extremely dangerous and fatal disease. Once infected, it leads to a 100% fatality rate. When rabies presents its more typical symptoms, particularly during the furious phase, it manifests significant neurological symptoms such as hallucinations, convulsive seizures, bizarre behavior, hyperactivity, and rigid neck muscles. Symptoms show as extreme fear, with a pronounced fear of water, light, and wind, and include uncontrollable spasms of the throat muscles making swallowing difficult. It progresses to opisthotonus and ultimately results in coma and death.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

29sec

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Does rabies cause fever?

Rabies can also cause fever when it occurs. During the prodromal period, it typically presents as a low fever and is often accompanied by marked fear of water, light, and wind. It can cause throat spasms and severe agitation. Rabies is a fatal disease with a 100% fatality rate once contracted. Therefore, it is crucial to take preventive measures against rabies, and professional quarantine and symptomatic treatment are required once the disease manifests.