Rabies, which has been in our lives for thousands of years, still causes thousands of people to die even though its vaccine has been found. Throughout the history of humanity, various ways have been tried to get rid of this disease. Unfortunately, we are still not completely saved.
Moreover, the behavior and emerging symptoms of rabies viruses after they enter the body are also quite strange. For example, fear of water. We will touch on all these, but first we need to understand why rabies is dangerous.
It is still one of the deadliest diseases in the world.
Known to exist for almost 4,000 years, the rabies virus is seen as one of the world’s most dangerous zoonotic diseases (transmitted from animal to human). The virus, which directly targets our brain as soon as it enters our body, can cause permanent damage or cause the patient to die.
According to the data of the World Health Organization, 60 thousand people die every year due to rabies. One of the biggest reasons for this is; people have not been previously vaccinated and their symptoms are very mild until the virus reaches the brain.
The virus directly targets our brain.
- MR image of a patient with rabies on the 16th day of hospitalization. (4 days before his death)
Suppose a rabid dog bites your toe. After this moment, the virus will immediately start working to advance in your body. While doing this, it infects all the cells that come in its way and then destroys it. Until it reaches our brain and the incubation period is over, we do not see many symptoms. The incubation period may vary depending on the type of rabies virus and the distance from the bite area to the brain. Although this period is usually 2-3 months, it can be up to 1 year or take 1 week.
There are two different types of rabies: encephalitic and paralytic. Paralytic rabies is a process that leaves people with paralysis or coma, and it usually progresses more slowly. Encephalitic rabies is usually the most common type. In addition to hyperactivity and hallucinations, it can also cause hydrophobia, fear of water.
General symptoms
- confusion, aggression
- Hemiplegia
- muscle twitches
- stiff neck muscles
- contractions
- Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing
- More saliva production than normal
- foaming at the mouth
- Insomnia and poor sleep that come with hallucinations
- Longer lasting erections and permanent erections in men
- Photophobia (fear of light)
- Fear of water or hydrophobia
So why are rabies patients afraid of water?
- It is taken from the green pine movie called Kuduz, starring Tarık Akan and Necla Nazır.
As we mentioned earlier, the virus directly targets our brain and the early symptoms seen until this point are; Itching, pain, inflammation, such as small things can be considered. Once the virus reaches our brain, it begins to cause hallucinations, partial paralysis, excessive saliva production, and even foaming at the mouth.
At this point, consuming liquid becomes a torture for patients. Infection that spreads to the throat causes spasms. In other words, even the swallowing of people begins to cause pain. After a while, they refrain from consuming any beverages. When they see water or when the thought of drinking water comes to their mind, the reason why they are afraid of water, move away and even have seizures with spasms is the thought that it will hurt. In summary; The rabies virus actually indirectly causes us to fear water.
In some patients, interesting different symptoms can be seen.
Another symptom seen in patients with rabies is photophobia, that is, sensitivity to light. The biggest reason for this is, of course, the viruses circulating in the body of the person infected with rabies. However, patients may want to be in darker environments as they enter a more melancholic feeling in practical rabies.
The hyperactivity seen in encephalitic rabies causes patients to be more willing and unable to sit still. They breathe faster and their heart rhythm speeds up. For this reason, there is an increase in their libido. In male patients, this can cause permanent or hours-long erections.
Do not underestimate the rabies vaccine.
Unfortunately, all the serious symptoms we have listed above occur after the rabies virus reaches the brain and travels to other regions. That is, when it completes the incubation period. After this point, treatments are often insufficient.
Many of us keep one or more of our animal friends in our home or garden. However, rabies can be transmitted to our friends whom we love and feed from any animal. For this reason, we should not neglect the vaccinations of both ourselves and our friends. You can repeat your rabies vaccinations every 10 years and take precautions against the possibility of contracting the disease.
What should you do if an animal you suspect is rabid bites you?
First of all, we must say that; All the processes we have described above are similarly seen in animals. As a matter of fact, an animal that looks normal when you look at it from a distance may be carrying the rabies virus. However, since the virus in the incubation period will not show itself, it will be very difficult for you to understand this.
For this reason, when you are bitten by an animal, you should first clean the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes. Then you should go to the nearest health institution and report the situation. It will be useful to keep the animal that bit you under surveillance during this whole process.
The majority of symptoms have been seen in the majority of rabies cases in humans and animals. Many symptoms may not be seen in every person or animal. Do not forget to share your opinions and thoughts about rabies with us in the comments.
Sources: WHO, Boehringer Ingelheim, WOAH, MedicalNewsToday, ScienceABC, Research published in the National Library of Medicine, ReseachGate (MR Image)
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