History: Rabies has been known for over 4,000 years. Ancient texts from Babylon mention people going mad after being bitten by animals. In 1885, Louis Pasteur developed the first rabies vaccine.

Interesting fact: Once symptoms start, rabies is almost always fatal. But it's 100% preventable with the right treatment after a bite.

It’s part of the Rhabdoviridae family.

It’s a normal (not retro) RNA virus.

It affects the nervous system, starting from the bite and traveling to the brain.

It doesn’t survive long outside a host and needs a warm-blooded animal to live.

Common carriers: dogs, bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks.

Humans can get infected when bitten or scratched.

Travels through the nerves to the spinal cord and brain.

Once in the brain, it causes brain swelling (encephalitis).

Then spreads to salivary glands – which helps it infect others through bites.

Virus is then spread when the infected animal bites another.

Fever, headache, muscle weakness, tiredness

Later symptoms:

Confusion, agitation, hallucinations, seizures

Difficulty swallowing, fear of water (hydrophobia)

Eventually leads to coma and death

Affected body parts: Brain and nervous system

But if treated right after the bite, it’s preventable:

Rabies vaccine (4 doses over 2 weeks)

Rabies immunoglobulin (fast-acting antibodies)

Mainly through bites or scratches

Rare: through infected organs or inhalation (very rare)

Lab tests:

Saliva test for viral RNA

Skin biopsy to check for virus in nerve cells

Blood test to find antibodies

Stay away from wild animals, especially if acting weird

Get preventive vaccines if you work with animals or travel to high-risk areas

After a bite: wash area with soap and water, and get medical help immediately