Patient education: Rabies (The Basics)

What is rabies? — Rabies is a disease caused by a virus. The virus spreads by bites or scratches from animals that have rabies. It gets into the body from the animal's saliva and spreads to the brain.

In the United States, certain wild animals are more likely than other animals to give people rabies. These animals include bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes. Bat bites are especially likely to spread rabies. It is also possible to get rabies from dogs and cats that have not had a rabies vaccine.

In some parts of the world, like certain countries in Africa and Asia, dogs are the most likely wild animal to spread rabies. That's because in these countries, most dogs do not get a rabies shot. But other animals can also spread rabies in these countries.

Rabies is a very serious disease. People infected with rabies almost always die if they do not get treatment before symptoms start.

What are the symptoms of rabies? — Rabies symptoms in humans include:

●Feeling sick, like you have the flu – A person with rabies might not feel like eating. They might have a fever, sore throat, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

●Acting irritable, excited, or more active than normal

●Painful or tingling areas on the skin

●Fear of water or choking on water

●Weakness in the arms and legs – A person with this symptom might also leak urine.

Animals with rabies can act strangely. For example, they might:

●Attack people and other animals for no reason

●Come out in daylight when they are normally out at night – For example, bats and raccoons are not usually out during the day.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Yes. Tell a doctor or nurse right away if:

●You are bitten or scratched by a wild animal, especially a bat, raccoon, skunk, fox, or coyote.

●You were around a bat or woke up in the room with a bat (bat bites can be hard to see).

●You were bitten or scratched by a dog, cat, or ferret you know or think has rabies. You should also see a doctor or nurse if you do not know if the animal that bit you had rabies shots. Many pets in the United States get rabies shots, but not all do.

●You have a cut, scrape, or other open wound that touched an animal that might have rabies.

●You are in a country where rabies is common (for example, an African or Asian country) and an animal bites or scratches you.

Can doctors tell if the animal that bit me has rabies? — Sometimes. If a pet bites you and it seems healthy, it can go to a safe place such as an animal hospital for doctors to watch it. Doctors can watch it for 10 days to see if it gets sick. If it stays healthy, you do not need rabies shots. If the pet gets sick, you need shots right away.

If a wild animal bites you and it is not available for testing, or a strange pet bites you and gets away, you might need rabies shots. See your doctor or nurse right away.

Can rabies be prevented? — Yes. If an animal bites you, do these things right away:

●Wash the wound with lots of soap and water, even if it stings. You can also use an antiseptic such as povidone-iodine (brand name: Betadine).

●Call your doctor or nurse, or go to the emergency department right away. If you were bitten by an animal that could have rabies, you will need to get shots to prevent rabies.

Other ways to prevent rabies:

●If you have pets, make sure they get rabies shots as often as needed

●Do not touch wild animals, even if they look dead

Some people who work with animals, or travel to countries where rabies is common, can get shots to help prevent rabies. But they still need to see a doctor or nurse and get more shots if an animal that could have rabies bites them.

Are rabies shots safe during pregnancy? — Yes. Shots to prevent rabies are safe for an unborn baby. If you are pregnant and an animal that could have rabies bites or scratches you, see a doctor or nurse right away.

What if I start having symptoms of rabies? — If a doctor thinks you have rabies, they will do tests. The tests can show if you have the virus or were exposed to it. Also, some other diseases cause symptoms similar to rabies, so a doctor might do tests for these diseases too.

How is rabies treated? — Once rabies symptoms start, no treatment works well. Most people with rabies symptoms die. That is why preventing rabies is so important. If you think you were exposed to rabies, getting treatment right away can stop the virus from spreading in your body and causing symptoms.

If a person has rabies symptoms, doctors can give treatments to make them more comfortable. These treatments are given in the hospital. They include treatments to relieve pain and trouble breathing.

More on this topic

Patient education: Animal and human bites (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for travel (The Basics)

Patient education: Rabies (Beyond the Basics)