Rabies

Summary

Rabies is a deadly animal disease caused by a virus. It can happen in wild animals, including raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes, or in dogs, cats or farm animals. People get it from the bite of an infected animal.

In people, symptoms of rabies include fever, headache and fatigue, then confusion, hallucinations and paralysis. Once the symptoms begin, the disease is usually fatal. A series of shots can prevent rabies in people exposed to the virus. You need to get them right away. If an animal bites you, wash the wound well; then get medical care.

To help prevent rabies:

• Vaccinate your pet. Rabies vaccines are available for dogs, cats and farm animals
• Don’t let pets roam
• Don’t approach stray animals. Animals with rabies might be aggressive and vicious, or tired and weak

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Treatments and Therapies

• Animal Bites: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Prevention and Risk Factors

• How Can You Prevent Rabies in Animals? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• How Can You Prevent Rabies in People? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Specifics

• How Is Rabies Transmitted? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Related Issues

• Learning about Bats and Rabies Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Rabies: What If I Receive Treatment Outside the United States? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Travelers’ Health: Rabies Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Journal Articles

• Rabies

Patient Handouts

• Rabies Medical Encyclopedia
• Rabies Vaccine: What You Need to Know Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Start Here

• Rabies World Health Organization
• Rabies Exposure: When Should I Seek Medical Attention? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Rabies: Questions and Answers Immunization Action Coalition

Statistics and Research

• Rabies in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Rabies: A Forgotten Killer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Diagnosis and Tests

• Rabies: Diagnosis in Animals and Humans Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Symptoms

• What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Rabies? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention