How long is the incubation period for rabies?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on September 17, 2024
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The incubation period for rabies is generally about one to three months, and it is rare to exceed one year. Therefore, if more than three months have passed since being bitten by a dog without showing symptoms, it is largely possible to rule out rabies.

Rabies is a fatal disease, with a 100% death rate once infected, mainly because the infection occurs after being bitten by rabid dogs, cats, or bats and not receiving the rabies vaccine. Rabies can only be prevented, so if there is exposure to the rabies virus, it is necessary to get vaccinated against rabies.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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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.

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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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Does rabies cause headaches and dizziness?

During the apparent symptomatic phase of rabies, symptoms like headache and dizziness may occur, although they are not the main symptoms. More typical symptoms of rabies include hydrophobia, fear of wind, photophobia, and difficulty drinking water. Exposure to bright lights and loud noises can cause whole-body spasms and pain. The disease can also cause facial muscle spasms, leading to distorted facial expressions. Subsequently, opisthotonus may occur, along with drooling, tearing, and tachycardia. Eventually, the patient may fall into a coma and die. Fever may also be present.

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Infectious Disease
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Rabies transmission routes

Rabies is an extremely deadly disease, with a 100% fatality rate once infected, so prevention is crucial. According to clinical and laboratory research, the majority of cases result from bites by rabid dogs who were not vaccinated against rabies. Additionally, there are cases resulting from bites or scratches by cats who were not vaccinated. In places like the United States and Europe, bat bites are relatively common. In rabies cases involving dogs and cats, their saliva contains a high concentration of the virus, making infection likely if one comes into contact with it. Proper prevention is essential.

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Infectious Disease
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How long can rabies antibodies last?

Antibodies for rabies generally last for a relatively long time. According to the 2016 rabies prevention guidelines, if the rabies vaccine is administered systematically and sufficient levels of rabies antibodies are produced, then three to five years later, the vast majority of people can still detect effective levels of rabies antibodies. Nowadays, the detection of rabies antibodies is also quite convenient, so if one has been vaccinated against rabies before and is exposed again, it is possible to first test for rabies antibodies to determine whether there is a need to vaccinate again.