Rabies is a life-threatening virus that leads to the destruction of the central nervous system, which is composed of your brain and spinal cord. This virus can develop if you are bitten by an infected animal, such as a raccoon, bat, skunk or dog. The symptoms of rabies in people can arise suddenly after sustaining an animal bite and can cause death within a few days of symptom onset. If you sustain any type of animal bite, seek medical care immediately.
Tingling or Twitching
One of the most common symptoms of rabies is a tingling or twitching sensation that develops within the skin that surrounds the site of an animal bite, explains Kids Health, a children's health website established by the Nemours Foundation. These symptoms can be mildly to moderately painful or uncomfortable and require immediate medical attention.
Flu-like Symptoms
During the early stage of this infection, patients can develop general flu-like symptoms due to rabies. Such symptoms can include fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, headache or body aches. Certain patients can also experience cough or sore throat due to rabies. As the infection progresses, these flu-like symptoms become more severe and give rise to additional symptoms.
Weakness
The spread of this infection throughout the body can contribute to symptoms of muscle weakness in patients. You may become unable to use certain muscles (paralysis) or you can begin experiencing abnormal muscle spasms throughout your body. Certain patients develop seizures or muscle convulsions. These symptoms of rabies can significantly affect your ability to move about normally and will continue to worsen as this infection persists.
Mood or Behavioral Changes
You can observe mood or behavioral changes in someone who has been infected by rabies. Rabies can cause a patient to experience confusion or abnormal hallucinations, which can cause excessive aggression, irritability or agitation. These symptoms develop due to faulty nerve signaling between your brain and body that is caused by this virus.
Hypersalivation
Rabies can cause increased salivation to develop in some patients as a symptom of this infection. You can begin to drool or foam at the mouth---especially during the advanced stage of this viral infection. Increased saliva production can interfere with your ability to swallow or speak normally and may lead to breathing difficulties in some patients. You may also experience increase tear production, which can cause your eyes to become red or watery.
