What are the Symptoms of Rabies?

The initial symptoms of rabies are non-specific but may progress to mild fever, anxiety, agitation, hydrophobia, aerophobia, etc.

Usually the incubation period of rabies is 1–3 months, but may vary from less than 1 week to more than 1 year.

The initial symptoms of rabies are usually non-specific and suggest involvement of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and/or central nervous systems. Symptoms include-

Fever
Headache
Pain and tingling at the site of the bite

Ten days later, the patient may experience-

Anxiety, agitation or depression
Hallucinations
Bizarre behavior
Drooling
Convulsions

Increased excitability, which is the hallmark of the condition
Hydrophobia (fear of water) is present in half the patients. This is usually due to a difficulty with swallowing.
Aerophobia (fear of fresh air) is considered a characteristic feature of rabies
The patient goes on to develop fits and respiratory paralysis.

Death usually occurs within 10-14 days. Without intensive care, death occurs during the first seven days of illness.

Published on Sep 26, 2014
Last Updated on Sep 22, 2018

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

APA

Dr. Trupti Shirole. (2018, September 22). What are the Symptoms of Rabies?. Medindia. Retrieved on May 20, 2022 from https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/what-are-the-symptoms-of-rabies.htm.
MLA

Dr. Trupti Shirole. "What are the Symptoms of Rabies?". Medindia. May 20, 2022. <https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/what-are-the-symptoms-of-rabies.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Trupti Shirole. "What are the Symptoms of Rabies?". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/what-are-the-symptoms-of-rabies.htm. (accessed May 20, 2022).
Harvard
Dr. Trupti Shirole. 2021. What are the Symptoms of Rabies?. Medindia, viewed May 20, 2022, https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/what-are-the-symptoms-of-rabies.htm.