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Behavioral Symptoms of Rabies in Humans

Rabies is a disease usually found in animals and sometimes contracted by human beings. Humans generally develop the disease when bitten by an infected animal. However, two additional methods of contraction include breathing the air of a cave inhabited by infected bats and receiving organs from a donor with rabies. When a person is infected with rabies, they experience a range of physical symptoms and behavioral symptoms. Many of the strange behaviors attributed to sufferers of rabies are caused reactions to severe physical discomforts.

  1. What is rabies?

    • Rabies is an infection that impacts the central nervous system. Although it is preventable through vaccines and avoiding infected animals, it can be fatal once infection sets in. According to the Department of Health, symptoms most often appear within 12 weeks after infection.

    Initial symptoms

    • Initially humans infected experience a lull, in which no symptoms appear. According to Health Scout, this can last from 30 to 50 days. This is usually followed by both physical and behavioral symptoms. The physical symptoms include diminished appetite, fatigue, headaches and fever. Some behavioral symptoms are irritability, insomnia and even depression. Additionally sufferers of rabies often feel restless and have a strange sensitivity to light, sound and temperature changes.

    Progressive symptoms

    • After experiencing the initial signs of the disease, additional symptoms will occur as the nervous system is damaged. The behavioral changes might include hypersensitivity, hyperactivity, disorientation and hallucinations. As the disease progresses, those infected may also experience convulsions and strange episodes of excitement.

    Hydrophobia

    • One unique symptom of rabies in humans is hydrophobia. This is a severe symptom experienced by the infected when they are trying to swallow. It involves a series of very painful throat spasms. It may appear as a fear of water because even the sight of water can cause hydrophobia. Thus, it may be considered both a physical and behavioral indicator of rabies.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Due to the seriousness of rabies, prevention is crucial. Three types of rabies vaccines exist, including human diploid cell vaccine; rabies vaccine adsorbed, and purified chick embryo cell culture. There are vaccines for those already exposed to the virus and vaccines designed for pre-exposure or prevention. According to the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease, once symptoms appear in an infected individual the only treatment option is to make the patient comfortable because they will eventually die from the infection. This is why it is important to seek immediate medical attention if there is even the possibility that a human has been exposed to the rabies virus. Most physicians will take preventative measures and provide treatment, even a patient is not sure whether or not they have been exposed.

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