由 home-healthhaven 
Rabies is a serious and deadly disease that impacts the central nervous system. It’s found in the saliva of infected animals and is typically spread through bites or contact with infected saliva or tissues. While it mostly occurs in wild animals, domestic animals can also be affected. The good news is that if treated quickly, rabies can be managed.
Humans usually get rabies through bites from wild or domestic animals. The disease is only seen in mammals. Common wild carriers include foxes, bats, bobcats, skunks, raccoons, and groundhogs. Smaller animals like mice, squirrels, and chipmunks are rarely infected. Among domestic animals, cats and dogs are the main culprits, although horses, cows, goats, and sheep can also get rabies, often from bat bites.
Most cases of rabies in humans and animals occur through bites, but there are other ways to catch it. Animals that eat the tissue of an infected animal, especially brain and nervous tissue, are at risk. For humans, although rare, rabies has been documented through transplant surgery. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), casual contact with a rabies-infected animal or contact with non-infectious fluids like urine or blood isn’t a risk.
If you suspect rabies, it’s crucial to seek medical help right away. Treatment involves caring for bite wounds if needed and starting a regimen of immune globulin and rabies vaccine. This typically lasts two weeks and includes an initial immune globulin shot followed by four rabies vaccine shots over 14 days. Although many believe rabies treatment is very painful, the CDC notes that modern vaccines are no more uncomfortable than a flu shot.
Rabies impacts the brain and central nervous system, causing infected animals to act strangely, often showing aggression or agitation. Wild animals that are normally shy may attack people without warning or appear disoriented and sick. Domestic animals might behave aggressively or in other unusual ways.
Anyone bitten by an animal that might have rabies should see a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. It’s essential to report suspected rabies attacks to the local health department and animal control, who will try to capture the animal.
If an animal doesn’t show rabies symptoms, it may be watched to ensure it’s not infected. Animals showing symptoms are typically euthanized, and their brain tissue is examined for rabies.
Vaccination can prevent rabies, but once symptoms appear, survival is rare. Being mindful of animal behavior and acting swiftly if bitten can save lives.