Can rabies be cured?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on December 10, 2024
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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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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.

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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 Han Jian Hua
Infectious Disease
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Rabies symptoms

Rabies is mainly characterized by hydrophobia, fear of wind, pharyngeal muscle spasms, progressive paralysis, etc. It is divided into: the prodromal phase, the excitative phase, and the paralytic phase, with varying symptoms in each phase.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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How long is the incubation period for rabies?

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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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.