Rabies

View the Health Heart Book

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
Connect with others who've been there. Share stories. Learn. Join Mayo Clinic's
online community.

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals. The rabies virus is usually transmitted through a bite.

Animals most likely to transmit rabies in the United States include bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and skunks. In developing countries of Africa and Southeast Asia, stray dogs are the most likely to spread rabies to people.

Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. For that reason, anyone who may have a risk of contracting rabies should receive rabies vaccines for protection.

Symptoms
References
  1. Rabies basics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/index.html. Accessed Nov. 23, 2010.
  2. Rupprecht CE. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of rabies. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 23, 2010.
  3. Fort GG, et al. Rabies. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1095900802&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00027-5--sc0010&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00027-5--sc0010&uniqId=230129353-3. Accessed Nov. 23, 2010.
  4. Bassin SL, et al. Rhabdoviruses. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 76th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00163-6&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00163-6&uniqId=227823193-5#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00163-6. Accessed Nov. 23, 2010.
  5. Harper MB. Infection following bites. In: Long SS, et al., eds. Long: Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/227823193-4/1087364479/1679/96.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50095-3--cesec28_1889. Accessed Nov. 23, 2010.
  6. DeMaria A, et al. Rabies immune globulin and vaccine. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 23, 2010.
  7. Jackson AC. Rabies. Neurologic Clinics. 2008;26:717.
  8. Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 7, 2010.
DS00484 Jan. 28, 2011

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger