What Are The Symptoms of Rabies?

Rabies symptoms can vary and typically progress in stages. Here are common symptoms:

  1. Initial Symptoms (1-3 days after exposure):
    • Itching, tingling, or pain at the site of the bite or exposure.
    • Fever.
    • Fatigue.
    • Headache.
  2. Early Symptoms (days to weeks after exposure):
    • Agitation and anxiety.
    • Confusion and hallucinations.
    • Excessive salivation (foaming at the mouth).
    • Difficulty swallowing.
  3. Later Symptoms (weeks to months after exposure):
    • Muscle weakness, spasms, or paralysis, often starting in the face and throat.
    • Seizures.
    • Hydrophobia (fear of water, triggered by painful throat spasms).

Once severe symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you’ve been bitten by an animal with suspected rabies or if you experience any of these symptoms after a potential exposure. Rabies is preventable through vaccination before symptoms develop, but once symptoms manifest, it’s nearly always fatal.