Rabies is a virus that is usually transmitted through the bite of a wild animal. Wild animals most likely to carry the rabies virus are raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. Both animals and humans can be infected with the rabies virus.

How Rabies Is Spread

Raccoons are the most common carrier of rabies, but bats are more likely than any other animal to pass the virus along to humans. An infected animal carries the rabies virus in saliva and passes it along to humans and other animals by biting. In rare cases, it is transmitted by the animal licking an open wound on the human or other animal. Because dogs are required to be vaccinated for rabies, dogs rarely contract the virus if bitten by a rabid animal. Cats, however, are not necessarily covered by rabies vaccination laws, and many cats that are allowed to roam outdoors are infected with rabies.

Once the infected animal bites a human or other animal, the rabies virus spreads into the muscular system, then works its way into the nervous system, trying to reach the brain. If rabies does infect the brain, it can cause permanent damage.

Symptoms of Rabies

The most distinctive sign of rabies is a tingling sensation around the area of the animal bite. It is usually accompanied by fever, headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and muscle pain. Children are more likely to be bitten by a rabid animal than are adults, so parents should also watch for irritability, confusion, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, an unusual production of saliva or tears, and difficulty speaking. As the disease progresses, there will be double vision, difficulty swallowing, foaming at the mouth, abnormal breathing, and problems moving facial muscles.

Anyone who has been bitten by a wild or strange animal should see a doctor immediately. Wash the bite with soap and water and cover with a clean bandage. Call a doctor, the local animal control authorities, and if possible, the owner of the animal.

Rabies Treatment

The doctor will clean the wound and make sure an individual’s tetanus shot is up to date. If there is any possibility that a person has been infected by rabies, the doctor will begin a series of rabies vaccinations.