Rabies Symptoms

Rabies is a rare but serious illness that affects the central nervous system. Any mammal can contract and spread rabies, but it has become very rare in the United States because of animal vaccinations. People who contract rabies typically get it from a rabid animal's saliva, usually from a bite. If bit by a potentially rabid animal, get medical help immediately to help stop the spread of the rabies virus. Once the illness progresses, rabies is almost always fatal. There is no cure.

At the Bite Site

• One of first symptoms of rabies is often itching and tingling where the person was bitten by a rabid animal.

Flu-like Symptoms

• Fever, chills, aches and fatigue are common rabies symptoms.

Abdominal Pain

• When symptoms begin to develop, people with rabies may begin to experience abdominal pain.

Mental State

• People with rabies will often begin to get anxious and restless, which will get worse over time. Eventually this may lead to confusion, hallucinations and even delirium.

Fear of Water, Air

• As the illness progresses, many people with rabies will develop a fear of water and a fear of air, especially air puffed or blown in the direction of the face. By this point, the disease is very severe.