Rabies - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Rabies is a notifiable disease in the US.
Preventable through prompt medical care. Postexposure prophylaxis with wound cleansing, immunization, and rabies immune globulin is highly effective at preventing the disease when given promptly and properly.
Symptoms begin with a nonspecific prodromal illness. In encephalitic rabies, this is followed by early-onset behavioral changes and late-onset paralysis. In the paralytic form, the behavioral changes are absent.
Almost always fatal following onset of clinical signs. The disease is rapidly progressive, leading to death within 2 weeks in most cases. Some survivors have been reported.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis is recommended for certain people at high risk for exposure.

A canine suspected of being rabid that had been exhibiting signs of restlessness and overall uncharacteristic aggressive behavior

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History & Exam
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

A canine suspected of being rabid that had been exhibiting signs of restlessness and overall uncharacteristic aggressive behavior
Illustration of rabies virus in longitudinal section
Illustration of rabies virus in cross-section. Concentric layers: envelope membrane bilayer, M protein, and tightly coiled encased RNA
This transmission electron micrograph reveals the presence of Lagos bat virus virions and an intracytoplasmic inclusion body in this tissue sample

Citations

Key Articles

World Health Organization. Weekly epidemiological record. Rabies vaccines: WHO position paper. April 2018 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use of a modified preexposure prophylaxis vaccination schedule to prevent human rabies: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2022. May 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]
World Health Organization. WHO expert consultation on rabies: WHO TRS N°1012 (third report). April 2018 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Rupprecht CE, Briggs D, Brown CM, et al; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use of a reduced (4-dose) vaccine schedule for postexposure prophylaxis to prevent human rabies: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2010;59:1-9.[Abstract][Full Text]
Willoughby RE Jr, Tieves KS, Hoffman GM, et al. Survival after treatment of rabies with induction of coma. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:2508-2514.[Abstract][Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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