Don’t Let Rabies Sink Its Teeth In: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Rabies is a viral infection that’s been around for thousands of years and is primarily transmitted through bites or scratches from infected mammals. While often associated with dog bites, any warm-blooded animal can carry the virus, including bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India is responsible for a staggering 36% of global rabies deaths. Recognising the importance of avoiding contact with potentially infected animals and seeking immediate medical attention if bitten is crucial in preventing the deadly effects of rabies.

Rabies is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, often from a rabid dog, bat, fox, or raccoon. One of the oldest known infectious diseases, rabies, has existed for over 4,000 years. While there is an effective post-exposure treatment if administered promptly, once symptoms appear, no treatment has proven consistently effective — making rabies a fatal disease. Early intervention is crucial, as rabies is almost always fatal if not treated before symptoms develop.

Rabies is caused by a family of viruses called Rhabdoviridae, a bullet-shaped virus. Transmission occurs through the following methods:

• Direct bites of an infected mammal, domestic or wild
• When an open wound comes in contact with the saliva of an infected mammal
• Ingesting the virus
• Transplacental modes, like in pregnancy
• Inhalation of infected aerosols
• Organ transplants. 

Rabies viruses are classified into two categories: "fixed" (modified in a laboratory) and "street" (naturally occurring in wild animals). The rabies virus is part of the Lyssavirus genus, which includes several other viruses of similar shape, such as the Lagos bat virus, Mokola virus, Duvenhage virus, and two European bat viruses. Research shows that standard rabies vaccines do not protect against all viruses within the Lyssavirus family.

The appearance of rabies symptoms aligns with the disease's pathophysiology, reflecting its progression through the body. The virus enters the bloodstream and gradually impacts the nervous system. Symptoms in humans typically appear between 30 and 90 days after exposure but can range from as little as five days to as long as two years if untreated.

• Incubation stage

This stage marks the period when the virus multiplies silently in the body, typically lasting 30-90 days, with no visible symptoms.

• Prodrome stage (Early symptoms)

The virus begins invading the peripheral nervous system at this stage. Dr George Abraham Ninan, a Neurologist at Christian Medical College Hospital in Vellore, says, “At the early stages of rabies, there are flu-like symptoms such as fever along with pain and tingling at the bite site. As the infection progresses along the nervous system, symptoms like weakness, muscle spasms, sensory loss, and urinary dysfunction develop.”
Monitoring the animal that inflicted the bite during this period is crucial. Unusual behaviour, such as sudden aggression or excessive affection, is often an indicator of rabies. Infected animals usually die within 10 days of showing symptoms, confirming the presence of the virus.

• Acute Neurologic Stage

During this stage, the virus severely impacts the central nervous system. Dr Ninan continues, “Once the infection reaches the brain, two types of rabies have been described: Furious rabies, the common form, involves aggressive behaviour, hallucinations, fear of water (hydrophobia), and foaming from the mouth, while paralytic rabies leads to gradual muscle paralysis and eventual coma.”

Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. Timely Initiation of post-exposure treatment can significantly prevent the onset of symptoms and save lives.

The greatest risk of contracting rabies comes from the bite of a rabid animal, particularly wild or stray animals, as they are about 10 times more likely to carry the virus compared to domestic pets. 

There is no treatment for rabies once the symptoms appear. Prevention is key to rabies control. This includes:

• Avoid contact with wild or stray animals: Do not attempt to pet, feed, or handle unfamiliar animals, even if they appear friendly.
• Vaccinate your pets: Ensure your dogs, cats, and other domestic animals are up to date on rabies vaccinations.
• Secure your home: Use screens or barriers to keep bats and other animals from entering living spaces.
• Raise awareness: Encourage awareness about the risks of rabies and the importance of preventative vaccinations. It’s essential for everyone to recognise the signs of rabies in animals and to seek help immediately if bitten or scratched.
• Seek medical attention immediately after exposure: If bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and consult a healthcare professional for post-exposure treatment.
• Report animals exhibiting symptoms: Notify local animal control authorities about stray animals exhibiting unusual behaviour, such as excessive aggression or drooling.

Dr Ninan explains, “Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but immediate medical attention and intervention to contain the infection, through vaccinations, can prevent the disease from progressing. Seizing the animal to watch for rabid symptoms and preventing biting other humans and animals must also be considered. Vaccinating pets and avoiding close contact with stray wild animals is crucial in reducing the incidence of rabies and protecting communities.”

The ideal way to understand rabies is through public awareness. Two key aspects to focus on are ensuring that pets stay up-to-date with their vaccination schedules, understanding emergency wound care, and immediately reaching out for post-exposure treatment. 

Rabies is caused by a bullet-shaped virus of the Rhabdoviridae family. Two ways to prevent it are keeping pets up-to-date with their vaccination schedules and understanding immediate wound care.

Rabies is caused by a bullet-shaped virus of the Rhabdoviridae family that enters the body through bites from a rabid animal, saliva contamination of an open wound, organ transplants, etc.

The early symptoms of rabies include fever, fatigue, muscle weakness, and headaches. Soon, symptoms progress to anxiety, hallucinations, confusion, aggression, etc. In the advanced stage, there are seizures, frothing of the mouth, and hydrophobia. 

Rabies can be prevented early through immediate wound care at home and post-exposure treatment by a healthcare professional 

Rabies can be avoided by keeping pets up to date on vaccination schedules, preventing interaction with stray and wild animals, and understanding immediate wound care.

Rabies progresses through three main stages. The incubation stage is the initial period where the virus silently multiplies in the body, typically lasting 30–90 days, with no visible symptoms. The prodrome stage follows, marked by flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and tingling at the bite site. Finally, the acute neurologic stage occurs when the virus attacks the central nervous system, leading to severe symptoms like agitation, hallucinations, fear of water (hydrophobia), or paralysis and eventually coma. Once this stage is reached, rabies is almost always fatal.