Rabies symptoms include nonspecific complaints such as fever, tiredness, itching or tingling at the site of the bite, and pain. These may be similar to flu or cold-like symptoms, but they are severe enough to cause discomfort and should be treated immediately.
These first symptoms usually resolve within 2 to 10 days. A series of symptoms then develop that affect the brain and nervous system. These symptoms include anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, muscle spasms, insomnia, and a fear of water (hydrophobia).
Early Rabies signs are generally very nonspecific and consist of headache, cough, fever, nausea, and tiredness. The patient may also have a shooting sensation at the site of the bite. These symptoms may last for a few days and should be treated with antiseptic and antibiotics.
Other Early Rabies Symptoms
The early symptoms of rabies are a mix of nonspecific and specific, varying with the individual and the nature of the bite. These symptoms typically include a low fever, weakness or pain, a shooting or itching sensation at the bite site, and an increase in sweating or a general feeling of illness (malaise).
Most people with rabies experience fatigue and are usually lethargic. They may also develop vomiting and anorexia.
Later in the course of rabies, patients begin to hallucinate and have a change in their behavior. They may become irrational and aggressive, or they might even be self-mutilating.
They may also have difficulty swallowing or urinating. This is due to a painful spasm of the swallowing muscles that occurs in people with rabies.
Occasionally, they may experience a paralysis of the arms and legs. Other signs may include circling, twitching, and drooling.
This is a very dangerous disease, and it is almost always fatal. A person with rabies should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible, and the infection must be treated right away to prevent it from progressing to coma and death.
Rabies is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that can be prevented with a rabies vaccine. This vaccine is given in three doses to prevent rabies and to increase the immune system’s ability to protect against the virus.
After a rabies vaccination, a person must receive a booster dose of the vaccine every year to maintain protection against rabies. It can be administered through the mouth, a shot, or a cream.
It is important to get the rabies vaccine as soon as possible after being bitten by an infected animal. This is because the rabies virus can live in the body for several months and can be spread to other people through infected saliva or blood.
The rabies vaccine is very effective and is highly recommended for everyone. The rabies vaccine can be obtained by calling your health care provider or visiting the local health department.
Those with a deep puncture wound should have their wound cleaned and flushed out with running water to reduce the chances of catching rabies from the infection. They should then go to a doctor and have the wound checked. The doctor will determine whether a rabies vaccine should be given to the patient.
