Can rabies be inherited?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on September 01, 2024
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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.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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rabies incubation period

The incubation period for rabies is one to three months, and it is rare for it to exceed one year. The length of the incubation period for rabies varies, the shortest being about five days and the longest can reach up to eight years, with an average incubation period of one to three months. Cases exceeding one year account for about 2%-3%. The length of the incubation period for rabies is closely related to several factors including the virulence of the virus, and the nerve distribution at the site of entry. The more viruses there are, the stronger their virulence, and the richer the nerve supply at the entry site, especially closer to the central nervous system, the shorter the incubation period.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Does rabies spread through saliva?

Rabies is primarily transmitted through saliva. The rabies virus is likely to be present in the saliva of dogs or cats during the symptomatic phase. Dogs or cats carrying the rabies virus have a high concentration of the virus in their saliva during this phase. If bitten by an animal in this stage, there is a significant risk of infection. Prevention measures should be based on the actual situation, including vaccination against rabies and local administration of rabies immunoglobulin at the wound site. Rabies is a fatal disease with no treatment available, but it is preventable.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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How long does rabies take to develop?

The incubation period for rabies generally ranges from one to three months, rarely exceeding one year, with the shortest onset at five days and the longest around six years. Actually, the duration of the incubation period is related to the location of the bite; the further from the head, the longer the incubation period. If the wound from the bite is superficial and contains fewer rabies viruses, then the incubation period will also be longer. Conversely, if there is a larger amount of rabies virus and the wound is deeper, the incubation period will be shorter. Rabies is a fatal disease, with a 100% mortality rate once infected.

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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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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.