Rabies is transmitted through what?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on December 17, 2024
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Rabies is actually a relatively rare disease, but it is a very dangerous one with a 100% fatality rate once infected. In clinical practice, most cases of rabies are due to not being vaccinated after being bitten by a rabid dog. There are also frequent occurrences after being bitten or scratched by a cat without vaccination against rabies. Additionally, there is a risk of infection from bat bites as well. Rabies cannot be treated, and the main approach is prevention. There have been no cases of transmission from human to human, and it can be prevented through rabies vaccination.

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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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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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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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Does rabies cause fever?

Rabies can indeed cause fever during the more obvious period of clinical symptoms, often accompanied by excessive neurological excitation, such as drooling, tearing, sweating, and tachycardia. There may also be agitation, hallucinations, and other typical neurological symptoms such as hallucinations, convulsions, bizarre behavior, hyperfunction, and neck stiffness. These symptoms manifest as extreme fear, hydrophobia, fear of wind, difficulty swallowing, and high sensitivity to bright light and noise; most cases result in death within 3-5 days, and it is very rare for cases to last more than two weeks.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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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.