If you notice an animal acting oddly, particularly a fox, skunk, raccoon, cat, dog or others, it could be infected with the rabies virus. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that an infected animal may act aggressively, or conversely may appear weak. This disease typically spreads to humans if they are bitten by such an infected critter. The Mayo Clinic reports that by the time you experience symptoms of rabies, it already may be too late, so it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible following suspected exposure.
Mental Symptoms
If you have been infected by the rabies virus, you may not experience symptoms until very late in the development of the disease. The Mayo Clinic notes that these symptoms may occur only shortly before death. Among the most obvious symptoms of the disease are those that affect your mental status or state of mind. You may be highly agitated, feel very anxious and be mentally confused. This may manifest as an inability to understand conversations or not knowing where you are or what you are doing. You also may see, hear or sense things that do not exist because of hallucinations.
Hydrophobia
The most well-known symptom of a rabies infection is hydrophobia, a fear of water. According to the Mayo Clinic, this may be brought on by another symptom: difficulty swallowing. Swallowing may make you feel as if you are going to choke or drown, so you develop the fear of drinking water. At the same time, you may experience another symptom of rabies infection, which is salivating excessively. This may cause you to drool or to foam at the mouth.
Paralysis
Paralysis or a gradual numbing of your body also is a symptom of rabies in people, the NIH reports. This may occur throughout your body. It generally happens in your throat, which is why it becomes difficult to swallow and can cause a fear of drinking.
Other Symptoms
Other common symptoms of rabies in humans may not be immediately recognizable as being related to the disease. Body temperature may rise because of a fever from the viral infection. You may experience headaches, because the virus is growing inside your body, or find it difficult to sleep.
