Rabies - transmission, symptoms & protection through vaccination
Rabies is a deadly viral infection that is usually transmitted through animal bites. Information on symptoms, incubation, vaccination & emergency treatment.
Things worth knowing about "Rabies"
Rabies is a viral infectious disease of the nervous system caused by the rabies virus.
The disease is usually transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, especially dogs, foxes, cats or wolves, as the virus is found in the saliva of infected animals. Rabies is almost always fatal if it is not treated in time, as it leads to severe inflammation of the brain.
After contact with the virus, the first symptoms such as fever, headache and fatigue can occur within 1 to 3 months, but there can also be a shorter incubation period of a few days. As soon as the virus reaches the central nervous system, severe symptoms such as anxiety, hallucinations, watershyness (hydrophobia), paralysis, convulsions and finally coma can occur.The onset of the disease can be prevented by vaccination against the rabies virus in several doses and in some cases by treatment with rabies immunoglobulin to neutralise the virus and prevent the onset of the disease. Immediate treatment is crucial to prevent the outbreak of the disease. Prevention of rabies is mainly done by vaccinating pets, which is particularly important in areas with high rabies prevalence. A rabies vaccination is also advisable for travellers to high-risk areas. Other preventative measures include avoiding contact with wild animals and seeking medical treatment quickly after a possible animal bite.