Characteristics of Rabies

Rabies is a potentially fatal virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family and has a very distinct bullet shape when viewed under a microscope. Wild animals primarily carry the virus and it is usually transmitted by a bite. Coming into contact with body fluids and tissues from infected animals is another possible source of transmission of the infection. Bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and skunks are the most likely animals to transmit rabies. Vaccinating pets and avoiding unknown and wild animals are the best ways to prevent the spread of rabies.

Animal Symptoms

• The predominant characteristics of rabies that are most observable are classified in two forms: furious and paralytic. The characteristics of an animal with the furious form will be hypersensitivity to sound and motion, attraction to noise, staring intently, in-coordination, aggression, violent attacks, inability to swallow and sudden collapse. With the paralytic form of rabies, the animal may display weakness, drooling, in-coordination, yawning and decreased sensation. The incubation for rabies is the amount of time between the infection of the virus and the onset of symptoms. The average incubation period is 30 to 60 days.

Human Symptoms

• In humans, the early symptoms of rabies are nonspecific and may include fever, myalgia and headache. The disease then progresses and neurological symptoms appear, including anxiety, confusion, partial paralysis, insomnia, agitation and hydrophobia. To date there is no known cure for rabies once it has reached the brain. At that stage it begins causing seizures followed by paralysis, coma, confusion and finally death.

Treatment

• If you are bitten, clean the wound immediately with soapy water. Go to the emergency room or see your family doctor. Treatment includes the rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) shots, antibiotics and rabies vaccine. The vaccine is given in a series of five shots after an initial dose of RIG. The series of shots are given over the course of a month and are considered to be a post-exposure preventative. A human rabies vaccine is recommended for people who work with animals such as zookeepers, animal wardens and kennels.