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Rabies is a fatal disease primarily transmitted through the bites of infected dogs. Despite preventive measures, rabies remains a significant public health concern in India. In 2024, India reported a total of 22 lakh dog bite incidents that resulted in 48 fatalities due to rabies infection.
Children under 15 years old account for about 30-60% of rabies cases and deaths in the country. In this blog, let us explore the causes and symptoms of rabies and ways to manage rabies infection.
Synopsis
What is Rabies and How Does It Affect the Body
The rabies disease spreads among animals through saliva, typically via bites or scratches. The virus penetrates the body until it reaches the nervous system on its journey to the brain cells. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that dog bites and scratches cause up to 99% of human rabies cases globally. This is particularly true in Asia and Africa.
Depending on the wound location, rabies infection requires days to months after the bite for its transmission period. Infected animals transmit the virus to the body, moving towards the central nervous system to create inflammation throughout the brain and spinal cord. The beginning symptoms of rabies include headache, fever, and tingling sensation near the bite mark.
Cause of Rabies Infection
Infection with rabies usually occurs due to bites or scratches or when open wounds are exposed to the saliva of an infected animal.
Here are the major causes of rabies infection:
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Animal Bites: Most rabies cases happen after dog bites, especially from stray or unvaccinated dogs, cats, cattle, and horses in India.
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Scratches or Licks: The virus can enter your body through scratches or licks on broken skin or mucous membranes.
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Exposure to Wild Animals: Bats, foxes, and monkeys can also carry and transmit rabies infections through direct contact.
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Handling Infected Animals: Touching or cleaning the wounds of infected animals without protection increases your risk.
Stages and Symptoms of Rabies
Rabies symptoms appear in stages as the virus spreads through your body. Recognising these stages early can help you seek urgent medical care before it becomes life-threatening.
Below are the main stages and symptoms of rabies disease:
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Incubation Stage: Lasts 1 to 3 months. You feel fine, but the virus is silently moving toward your brain.
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Prodromal Stage: You may develop fever, headache, nausea, and pain or tingling at the bite site.
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Acute Neurological Stage: You can experience confusion, anxiety, hallucinations, trouble swallowing, or muscle spasms.
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Paralytic Stage: Muscles become weak or paralysed. Breathing slows down, and you may fall into a coma.
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Coma and Death: If untreated, the disease leads to heart failure, respiratory arrest, and eventually death.
Is There a Cure for Rabies? How to Prevent It?
Rabies has no cure once symptoms appear. However, it can be totally prevented if you act quickly after exposure or take steps to avoid infection altogether.
Rabies vaccination is a highly effective preventive measure, available both before potential exposure (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and after a possible exposure (post-exposure prophylaxis). However, pre-exposure vaccination for rabies is especially recommended for high-risk individuals, including veterinarians, animal handlers/rescuers, and travellers visiting rabies-prone areas.
Below are key prevention tips and facts about rabies treatment:
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No Cure After Symptoms Start: Once symptoms begin, rabies is almost always fatal despite intensive care.
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Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Immediate wound cleaning and vaccination within 24 hours can stop the virus before it spreads.
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Anti-Rabies Vaccine: A series of rabies shots given over a few weeks helps your body fight the virus.
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Vaccinate Pets: Regularly vaccinate dogs, cats, and cattle to break the chain of transmission.
Conclusion
See an experienced emergency care specialist immediately after any animal bite, scratch, or contact with saliva from unvaccinated animals. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before getting medical help. Early care and vaccination can save your life. Rabies is preventable, but once symptoms manifest, it is almost always fatal. Always report bites to local health authorities and follow medical advice strictly. Prompt action is the only way to stop rabies before it spreads in your body.
Visit our top emergency care specialist in Jayanagar for any care related to bites or scratches from animals.
FAQ's
Yes. Rabies can spread if infected saliva enters an open wound or scratch, or your eyes, nose, or mouth.
The rabies virus dies quickly in dry environments. It usually survives only a few hours outside a host.
Human-to-human transmission of rabies infection is sporadic. It may occur only through organ transplants, not casual contact.
The risk of getting rabies from a vaccinated pet is very low. However, after a bite, you should still clean the wound and consult a doctor.
Yes. If infected, cats, infected bats, monkeys, foxes, and even cows can carry and spread the virus.
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