Rabies in Humans and Animals

18 min read| Updated for March, 2019

In the U.S. when we think of rabies, we think of danger; danger to our health. And while rabies cases in the U.S. are rare, the devastating and aggressive nature of this disease means that we should all educate ourselves about prevention.

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The virus enters from the host’s saliva and attacks the victim’s central nervous system and brain.

 

bat on a rock

About Rabies

Rabies is known as a zoonotic disease, which means it is transmittable from animals to humans. The disease spreads in the form of a bullet-shaped virus called Lyssavirus. The virus enters from the host’s saliva and attacks the victim’s central nervous system and brain, eventually causing muscle paralysis and respiratory failure.

Though domestic dogs spread the majority of cases, the CDC reports that rates of feline rabies have risen rapidly in the past few years, due to fewer cat owners taking their pets to the vet. Though the disease is almost always fatal when it reaches the later stages, very early intervention can help stop the virus in its tracks. However, prevention is the safest approach.

Once a rabies carrier bites an animal, the virus enters an incubation period with no observable symptoms.

What Are the Stages and Symptoms of Rabies in Animals?

The rabies virus progresses quickly, and nearly always results in death if it reaches the later stages. Here’s a look at each stage the disease takes when infecting an animal host.

Incubation:

Once a rabies carrier bites an animal, the virus enters an incubation period with no observable symptoms. This phase can last from one week to a year, but three to 12 weeks is most typical. Because the virus has not yet affected the salivary glands, the infected animal is not yet contagious.

Prodromal Stage:

Once the virus finishes its incubation period and begins spreading through the nervous system, it’s reached the prodromal stage. In this stage, the animal exhibits mild, nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, fever, and lethargy, which are often misdiagnosed because of their vague nature. By this phase, the animal is contagious and can quickly spread the virus through their saliva.

Excitative (Furious) Stage:

In this phase, the infected animal shows extreme behavior changes. Animals often act defensive, aggressive, and hyperactive. The excitative stage is a highly dangerous phase because animals are more likely to bite or scratch, and therefore spread the virus.

Paralytic (Dumb) Stage:

In this phase, the virus begins causing muscle weakness and eventually paralysis. These symptoms will start around the site of the wound and spread throughout the body. Animals will show difficulty swallowing and breathing, with the illness eventually resulting in respiratory failure and death.

raccoon in the daylight

Incubation begins as soon as the human being is bitten and infected with the rabies virus.

What Are the Stages and Symptoms of Rabies in Humans?

The rabies infection in humans takes a similar path to that in dogs and other animals. However, rather than moving through both a furious and paralytic phase, the disease tends to either take the form or the other after the incubation period is complete.

Incubation:

Incubation begins as soon as the human being is bitten and infected with the rabies virus. In most cases, the asymptomatic incubation period lasts around three months, although some cases have reported the phase lasting as little as three days and as long as six years.

Furious Rabies:

People experiencing furious rabies will be overly excitable and hyperactive. They may also show signs of insomnia, hallucinations, muscle spasms, seizures, uncharacteristically aggressive behavior, and a fear of water and fresh air. Furious rabies ends in respiratory arrest, resulting in death.

Paralytic Rabies:

About 30 percent of human rabies cases take the paralytic form, almost the polar opposite of furious rabies. Paralytic rabies moves more slowly than the furious form, beginning with muscle weakness, lethargy, and paralysis at the site of the wound and then spreading to the rest of the body. This form ends with a coma and eventual death.

fox on the road

While cats are more likely to get the disease, dogs are most likely to spread it.

Common Animals with Rabies

Given the grim outcome of this disease, it’s important to educate yourself about how to avoid contracting rabies in the first place. Rabies is most commonly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, and foxes. However, most people in the U.S. contract rabies from domestic pets. While cats are more likely to get the disease, dogs are most likely to spread it.

Diagnosis in Humans:

Because the initial symptoms of rabies in humans are quite common complaints—fatigue, muscle soreness, and lethargy—the disease can be difficult to diagnose clinically. However, many tests can be administered using samples of the saliva, skin, and spinal fluid. Doctors usually perform several tests to reach certainty.

Diagnosis in Animals:

Because rabies presents such a serious public health danger, many animals suspected to have rabies are euthanized. Veterinarians then take tissue samples to test for rabies. However, for household pets that are unlikely to carry the virus, an observation period can be sufficient.

two dirty dogs

Avoid interacting with wild animals like skunks, raccoons, foxes, and bats.

How to Prevent Rabies

Once any of the symptoms of rabies are apparent, the disease is extremely difficult to stop. For this reason, prevention is the best tactic. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself.

  • If you own pets or farm animals, make sure you keep them on a regular vaccination schedule. Dogs are the most common cause of human rabies cases, which means vaccinating your animal can help save the life of your pet and prevent human cases of rabies.
  • Call animal control when you see a stray dog or cat in your neighborhood, especially if the animal appears to be acting strangely. These animals may not be vaccinated or may already be ill.
  • Consider keeping your cats and dogs indoors. Always supervise them carefully when you venture outdoors.
  • Consider spaying or neutering your animal to prevent the spread of unplanned litters that may become strays.
  • Avoid interacting with wild animals like skunks, raccoons, foxes, and bats. If these animals invade your property, always contact animal control rather than approaching them yourself.
  • Closely supervise your children while playing in wooded areas, as children may not always report bites.
  • If your pet has sustained a bite, consider taking them to the vet for examination, even if they’ve been vaccinated against rabies.

How to Know If You’ve Been Exposed to the Rabies Virus

The World Health Organization breaks down rabies exposure into three categories. If you interact with an animal you suspect may be rabid, or an animal that is a common carrier of the virus, follow this chart to determine your course of action.

Category 1: You’ve fed or played with an animal that could be a rabies carrier, but no bites or scratches occurred.

Category 2: You’ve been licked or lightly scratched by an animal that could be a carrier, but there was no broken skin.

Category 3: You’ve sustained a bite or scratch from an animal that has broken the skin.

If your experience falls into categories 2 or 3, seek immediate medical attention. Category 1 exposure does not present a risk.

sick cat laying on the sidewalk

What to Do If You’re Bitten or Scratched

As frightening as the rabies disease is, early intervention can help dramatically improve your chances of stopping the virus. If you’ve been bitten, scratched, or even licked on broken skin by an animal you suspect may be rabid, take these steps immediately:

  • Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water or with an iodine solution. Experts recommend washing for at least 10 minutes.
  • After you’ve washed the wound, seek medical attention immediately
  • Talk with your doctor about administering a combination of vaccines and human rabies immune globulins

Rabies Vs. Distemper

These two diseases are commonly confused since they both cause behavioral changes in animals, domestic and wild, and are often fatal. Here are a few ways to tell these two diseases apart:

  • Some symptoms of distemper and rabies overlap, making it difficult to distinguish the two. However, distemper in dogs usually includes eye discharge, diarrhea, twitching, and compulsive chewing motions, which are not typically seen in rabies cases.
  • While rabies is spread only through the saliva, distemper can spread through contact with urine, feces, or even airborne particles from an infected host.
  • Unlike rabies, distemper doesn’t pose a danger for humans. If you’re up to date on your measles vaccine, you should be protected from distemper as well.

If you’re traveling to a rural area on one of these continents, take caution to avoid interacting with dogs or wildlife.

Traveling and the Risk of Rabies

Human cases of rabies are fairly rare in the U.S., but they’re quite prevalent in some areas of the developing world. According to the World Health Organization, rabies causes tens of thousands of deaths per year, mostly in remote areas of Asia and Africa. If you’re traveling to a rural area on one of these continents, take caution to avoid interacting with dogs or wildlife. If you know the area you’re visiting has a high number of rabies cases, consider getting a vaccination before you leave the U.S.

stripped skunk in woods

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

Even if you’re not visiting a high-risk area of the world, there may be other reasons to consider getting a rabies vaccination. If your lifestyle or vocation includes the following activities, talk to your healthcare provider about the rabies vaccine.

  • You work with animal control or veterinary services
  • You frequently go caving
  • You work in a laboratory where rabies is studied

Rabies is a highly preventable illness, thanks to vaccines for both humans and animals.

Who Should Avoid Getting Vaccinated?

While the rabies vaccine can be a good idea for some people, others should avoid getting vaccinated if possible. Here are a few signs you shouldn’t get the rabies vaccination.

  • You have a compromised immune system
  • You have severe allergies
  • You have a serious illness like cancer

Conclusion

Rabies is an extremely deadly disease and is difficult to cure once contracted. However, it’s also a highly preventable illness, thanks to vaccines for both humans and animals. Knowing how to avoid the risks–and what to do if you are exposed–can help you protect yourself, your family, and your pets.