Rabies

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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

At the time a rabid animal bites you, there's no way to know whether the animal has transmitted the rabies virus to you. For this reason, treatment to prevent the rabies virus from infecting your body is recommended if the doctor thinks there's a chance you have been exposed to the virus.

Blood and tissue tests are used to diagnose rabies in people who have signs and symptoms of the infection.

Treatments and drugs Preparing for your appointment
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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