Rabies


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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

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