Symptoms of Rabies in Humans

Rabies is a type of virus that originates from animals and can be passed on to humans in rare cases. The risk of getting rabies comes from both wild and domesticated animals. If infected, dogs, cats, skunks, raccoons, goats, horses, sheep, mules, rodents and bats can have rabies and pass it on to humans. Rabies can be contracted by a bite or scratch that punctures the skin of the victim from the infected animal. Humans can experience symptoms as early as 10 days or up to a year after exposure.

Swallowing

One symptom of rabies in humans is difficulty or painful swallowing. This occurs when the muscles that control swallowing become affected by the rabies virus. If the rabies virus cannot be treated successfully, the patient could suffer from complete paralysis within his throat and neck muscles. Patients can easily become dehydrated because of lack of fluid intake. In some cases, hospitalization may be required to pump the body full of intravenous fluids to prevent further damage.

Loss of Appetite

Some people who have been affected by the rabies virus show signs of appetite loss. In some cases, the loss of appetite is accompanied by further gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, stomach cramps and severe abdominal pain. It may also be painful for the patient to eat because of swallowing difficulty. As with dehydration, a feeding tube may be a last resort if the patient is unable to eat on her own.

Fever

Those who suffer from rabies may experience a fever at the onset of the virus. The fever generally starts around 101 degrees F and may continue to rise. The main reason for fever may be because the body is trying to fight off the rabies virus. The fever can also indicate that there may be an infection stemming from the initial wound site. Prompt medical attention is required.

Body Aches

Another symptom of a rabies infection is overall body aches and pain. This type of symptom is very similar to the ache felt with a flu. This can also be an indication that damage to the central nervous system is beginning. Tylenol or a pain killer prescribed by a physician helps with managing this symptom.

Nervous System Damage

One of the most severe symptoms of the rabies virus is that it can damage the nervous system. Within two to 10 days, untreated rabies can develop into symptoms of disorientation, seizures, hallucinations, hyperactivity and in some cases complete paralysis. The patient may also show signs of extreme aggression and violent behavior. The nervous system damage can also lead to coma or unresponsiveness that may require the use of life support. In some cases, if the damage is severe, the patient may succumb to the rabies and die.