Subscribe
Rabies
Does rabies cause coughing?
Rabies generally does not cause severe coughing, but in the late stages of the disease, coughing can occur. Eventually, due to spasms and paralysis of the respiratory muscles, some sputum cannot be expelled, which stimulates the respiratory tract to produce more secretions, possibly leading to frequent coughing. The main symptoms of rabies are a distinct fear and restlessness towards water, light, and wind. Rabies ultimately leads to death due to respiratory muscle failure and paralysis of the respiratory system.
How long is the longest incubation period for rabies?
The incubation period of rabies is generally between one to three months, and it is rare for the disease to have incubation period longer than a year. Most cases usually fall within one to three months, according to the 2016 Rabies Prevention Guide. The longest recorded incubation period for rabies mentioned in the guide was six years, but such cases are extremely rare. Therefore, if a person is bitten by a dog and does not develop the disease within a year, it is generally considered that they were not infected with rabies at the time of the bite. Rabies is a fatal disease, with a 100% fatality rate upon infection, so prevention is crucial.
Does rabies transmit through saliva?
Rabies virus is primarily found in the saliva of dogs during the symptomatic phase, the saliva of cats during the symptomatic phase, and in the bodies of bats. There is a high concentration of rabies virus in the saliva of dogs during the symptomatic phase. Therefore, if one is bitten by a rabid dog, there is a significant risk of infection. It is necessary to promptly block and clean the wound, vaccinate against rabies, and administer rabies immunoglobulin injections locally at the wound site.
Does rabies cause diarrhea?
If rabies occurs, there may be symptoms like diarrhea and severe panic. A distinct fear and restlessness toward water, light, and wind are apparent. During the peak of rabies, a person will be in a state of significant agitation and extreme pain. Rabies is a deadly disease with a 100% mortality rate upon onset of symptoms. Currently, there are no treatment methods or strategies, so it is crucial to focus on the prevention of rabies.
Rabies: Hazards and Prevention
Rabies is a fatal disease, with a 100% mortality rate upon infection. Therefore, rabies is extremely dangerous. In terms of prevention and control of rabies, prevention is the only option. By strengthening prevention, the incidence of rabies can be reduced. For the prevention of rabies, it is necessary to routinely administer rabies vaccinations to animals such as dogs and cats. Individuals who frequently come into contact with dogs, cats, bats, and other animals should receive preventive rabies vaccinations.
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.
Symptoms of the incubation period of rabies
Rabies has no obvious symptoms during the incubation period. Some people might feel as if ants are biting at the wound site, while others may display symptoms of fatigue and lack of energy; however, the vast majority of people do not show any clear characteristic symptoms. The incubation period for rabies can range from one to three months, and it is rare for it to extend beyond one year. The duration of the incubation period is highly dependent on the location of the bite; the farther from the head, the longer the incubation period. Conversely, the closer to the head and face, the shorter the incubation period.
Rabies symptoms
Rabies is mainly characterized by hydrophobia, fear of wind, pharyngeal muscle spasms, progressive paralysis, etc. It is divided into: the prodromal phase, the excitative phase, and the paralytic phase, with varying symptoms in each phase.
Is rabies contagious?
Rabies is contagious; in fact, most cases of rabies result from being bitten by rabid dogs, cats showing symptoms of the disease, or bats carrying the rabies virus. There have been no reports of transmission from human to human. Rabies is a fatal disease, with a 100% mortality rate once infected. The saliva of dogs showing symptoms contains a high concentration of the virus. If one is bitten and does not receive timely prevention and intervention, there is a high likelihood of contracting the infection.
Can rabies be inherited?
Rabies is an infectious disease, not a hereditary disease, and there is no possibility of it being inherited. It is mainly caused by being bitten by dogs, cats, or bats carrying the rabies virus. If timely treatment and intervention are not administered after being bitten by these animals, there is a chance of contracting the rabies virus. The rabies virus attacks the human nervous system and eventually proliferates extensively in the brain, leading to the exhaustion of brain functions and resulting in death.