What are the symptoms of rabies in humans after being bitten by a dog? - briefly
Rabies in humans, following a dog bite, typically begins with flu-like symptoms that can include fever, headache, and general weakness. As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, confusion, agitation, abnormal behavior, paranoia, and hallucinations may develop. In the final stages, the person may experience hydrophobia (fear of water), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia, which is the inability to drink. Death almost always occurs within 2 to 10 days after symptoms begin. The incubation period for rabies can vary from a few days to several years, depending on the location and severity of the bite. The most common symptoms of rabies in humans after being bitten by a dog are fever and headache.
What are the symptoms of rabies in humans after being bitten by a dog? - in detail
Rabies is a severe viral infection that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. When a human is bitten by a dog infected with rabies, the virus travels through the nerves to the brain, leading to a range of symptoms. The incubation period, which is the time from exposure to the onset of symptoms, can vary from a few days to several years, but it typically ranges from 3 to 8 weeks. The initial symptoms of rabies in humans are often nonspecific and can be mistaken for other illnesses. These early symptoms include fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific neurological symptoms begin to emerge. These can include:
- Insomnia, or difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety and agitation
- Confusion and hallucinations
- Abnormal behavior, such as hyperactivity or lethargy
- Partial paralysis, which may start at the site of the bite and progress to other parts of the body
- Hydrophobia, or fear of water, which is a classic symptom of rabies. This occurs because the muscles in the throat spasm when the person attempts to drink, making swallowing difficult and painful.
- Aerophobia, or fear of drafts or open spaces, which can also occur due to muscle spasms in the throat and diaphragm.
In some cases, the disease may progress to a paralytic form, where the person experiences weakness and paralysis that starts at the site of the bite and spreads throughout the body. This form of rabies is less common but equally fatal. As the disease advances, the person may fall into a coma and eventually die, typically due to respiratory failure. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if a person has been bitten by a dog, especially if the dog's rabies vaccination status is unknown. Prompt administration of post-exposure prophylaxis, which includes a series of rabies vaccines and, in some cases, rabies immune globulin, can prevent the onset of symptoms and save the person's life. However, once symptoms of rabies appear, there is no effective treatment, and the disease is almost always fatal. Therefore, prevention through vaccination and prompt medical care after exposure are essential in managing rabies.