Premium Nahrungsergänzungsmittel | artgerecht

Lyssa (Rabies): Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Lyssa (rabies) is a life-threatening viral disease transmitted through the bite of infected animals, affecting the central nervous system.

Regular tips about health Regular tips about health

Things worth knowing about "Lyssa"

Lyssa (rabies) is a life-threatening viral disease transmitted through the bite of infected animals, affecting the central nervous system.

What is Lyssa?

Lyssa, commonly known as rabies, is a severe infectious disease caused by the rabies virus (a Lyssavirus belonging to the family Rhabdoviridae). The virus attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms appear. Rabies is classified as a zoonosis – a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans – and remains one of the most dangerous infectious diseases worldwide.

Causes and Transmission

The Lyssavirus is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly via:

Bite wounds from infected animals (e.g., dogs, foxes, bats, raccoons)
Contact of infected saliva with open wounds or mucous membranes
Rarely, scratches from infected animals

Globally, dogs are the most common source of rabies transmission to humans, particularly in Asia and Africa. In Europe and North America, bats have become an increasingly important viral reservoir.

Symptoms

The incubation period is typically 1 to 3 months, but can range from a few days to several years depending on the location of the bite and the amount of virus introduced.

Early Phase (Prodromal Phase)

Fever, headache, and general malaise
Tingling, pain, or numbness at the site of the bite
Anxiety, restlessness, and sleep disturbances

Acute Neurological Phase

Hydrophobia (fear of water – painful spasms when attempting to swallow liquids)
Aerophobia (fear of drafts or air movement)
Hallucinations, confusion, and aggressive behavior
Muscle spasms and paralysis
Coma and respiratory failure in the terminal stage

Diagnosis

Diagnosing rabies is clinically challenging, particularly in the early stages when symptoms are non-specific. The following diagnostic methods are used:

PCR testing (polymerase chain reaction) from saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, or skin biopsy
Antibody detection in blood or cerebrospinal fluid
Direct fluorescent antibody test (dFA) on brain tissue (mostly post-mortem)
Clinical assessment based on possible animal exposure history

Treatment

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

The most critical step following a suspected bite is immediate wound care and initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes:

Thorough wound washing with soap and water
Vaccination with an inactivated rabies vaccine (multiple doses over several weeks)
For previously unvaccinated individuals: administration of rabies immunoglobulin directly into and around the wound

When PEP is administered promptly after exposure, it can almost completely prevent the onset of the disease.

Treatment of Manifest Disease

Once clinical symptoms have developed, there is no proven curative therapy. Treatment is primarily supportive and intensive care-based. The so-called Milwaukee Protocol (medically induced coma) has been attempted in isolated cases, with very rare survivors reported.

Prevention

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): Vaccination recommended for high-risk groups (veterinarians, travelers to endemic regions, laboratory staff)
Avoiding contact with wild or unknown animals
Vaccination of domestic animals, especially dogs and cats
Prompt medical attention after any animal bite

Epidemiology

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 59,000 people die from rabies each year worldwide, with the majority of deaths occurring in Asia and Africa. In Germany, rabies in terrestrial mammals has been declared eradicated since 2008; however, a residual risk remains through bats and travel to endemic regions.

References

World Health Organization (WHO): Rabies – Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies
Robert Koch Institute (RKI): Tollwut – RKI Advisory. Available at: https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Merkblaetter/Ratgeber_Tollwut.html
Hemachudha T, Ugolini G, Wacharapluesadee S et al.: Human rabies: neuropathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. The Lancet Neurology. 2013;12(5):498–513.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Life

As an integrated manufacturer, we develop & produce evidence-based, patented, and non-patented formulations. We work exclusively with plant and natural extracts according to the strictest purity & quality standards.
The combination of science & modern technology with the laws of nature creates solutions consistently tailored to humans – for the highest good: health.

Most read entries

3 Posts in this encyclopedia category