Rabies is transmitted by what?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on January 18, 2025
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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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How is rabies transmitted?

Rabies is primarily contracted through bites from rabid dogs who have not been vaccinated against the disease. The rabies virus is present in the saliva of rabid dogs, cats, and there is also a risk of infection from bats if they carry the rabies virus and one is bitten by such a bat. Generally, rabies infection occurs through bites or scratches from animals carrying the rabies virus; there have been no cases of transmission from human to human. Rabies is a fatal disease, so if there is exposure, it is essential to take preventive measures, as there is no cure.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
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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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Can rabies be cured?

Rabies is a fatal disease, resulting in a 100% fatality rate once infected. It cannot be completely cured. The reason rabies leads to 100% mortality is that after the rabies virus infects the human body, it continuously ascends to the brain, where it proliferates extensively, destroying brain tissue and leading to brain function depletion, a condition that is untreatable. Therefore, in dealing with rabies, it is crucial to focus on prevention. If exposed to rabies, it is necessary to receive the rabies vaccine.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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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.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Symptoms of rabies

Rabies is an extremely dangerous and fatal disease. Once infected, it leads to a 100% fatality rate. When rabies presents its more typical symptoms, particularly during the furious phase, it manifests significant neurological symptoms such as hallucinations, convulsive seizures, bizarre behavior, hyperactivity, and rigid neck muscles. Symptoms show as extreme fear, with a pronounced fear of water, light, and wind, and include uncontrollable spasms of the throat muscles making swallowing difficult. It progresses to opisthotonus and ultimately results in coma and death.