Does rabies transmit through saliva?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on September 12, 2024
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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.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Rabies is transmitted by what?

Rabies is an infectious disease primarily caused by bites from rabid dogs. According to the epidemiology of rabies in our country, it is mostly contracted from dog bites when no rabies vaccine has been administered. Of course, there is also a risk of infection from scratches by cats or dogs during their infectious periods or bites from infected cats, as well as scratches from bats carrying the rabies virus. To date, there have been no reported cases of human-to-human transmission. Rabies is a fatal disease, with a 100% fatality rate upon infection, thus prevention is crucial.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Is rabies contagious?

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
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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.

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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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Can rabies be contagious?

Rabies is contagious and is primarily transmitted through bites from infected dogs, cats, or bats. During the onset of the disease, the saliva of rabid dogs contains a high concentration of the rabies virus. Similarly, the saliva of cats in the onset phase also contains a large amount of the rabies virus. If these rabies viruses enter the human body, there is a significant risk of infection. Currently, transmission of rabies from one person to another is extremely rare; it is mainly transmitted to humans through bites from infected animals during their symptomatic phase.