What effect does rabies have on humans?

Picture a salivating dog chasing after you, the foam spilling off its mouth as it snarls and barks. You’re running with all your might, but to no avail – it catches up and bites down on your arm, infecting you with one of the world’s deadliest viruses. Congratulations! You just contracted rabies.

But wait, what is rabies exactly? What happens when this virus gets into our human system? Let’s explore more about this horrible infection that not only affects animals but can also be transmitted to humans.

What Is Rabies?

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that spreads through contact with saliva from infected animals like dogs or bats -or even vampires-. It targets the central nervous system, attacking the brain without mercy. Once symptoms set in, death almost certainly follows. Although rare among developed countries today due to vaccines and good animal control measures, rabies still kills tens of thousands every year worldwide.

Different Strains Of The Virus

Not all strains of rabies are created equal (like wine). There are actually multiple types of variations found worldwide:

  1. Classical Rabies
  2. Bat Lyssaviruses
  3. Duvenhage Virus
  4. European Bat Lyssaviruses
  5. Australian Bat Lyssavirus

Each has minor differences in symptoms and outbreak patterns – but they’re all nasty little beasts (Just imagine yourself becoming a part-time ghoul who chews up other people’s flesh for breakfast) No wonder researchers around the world work tirelessly on studying these diseases!

How Do Humans Contract Rabies?

The concept behind getting infected by something contagious via mouth-to-mouth transfer isn’t new at all (just ask any Tinder user) . But let’s get serious: most commonly someone becomes infected by being bitten by an infected animal. The rabies virus replicates in the animal host’s saliva, and when it comes into contact with open skin wounds or mucus membranes (such as those in the mouth, nose, or eyes), that’s a one way trip to contraction city.

What Animals Carry Rabies?

Fang-bearers aren’t the only culprits of spreading this deadly virus (not all pets are equal folks). A whole range of animals potentially carry rabies:

  1. Dogs
  2. Bats
  3. Cats
  4. Raccoons
  5. Skunks

These guys can also pass on diseases without showing symptoms themselves too! Always better safe than sorry when dealing with new furry friends – get them checked for vaccinations before you start playing around!

The Inevitable Symptoms Of Rabies

Once infected, it may take weeks or even months before someone sees any signs of sickness (so don’t breath a sigh relief so soon after recovering from your apparent evil superpowers). Early symptoms often resemble common illnesses like feverish temperatures/chills and headache; however wewhen more serious central nervous system-related issues arise, then things really turn frightening !

Symptoms often include:

  • Anxiety followed by confusion
  • Agitation (Including Phantom Mental Battles)
  • Difficulty swallowing water (Thirsty much?)
  • Hallucinations (Get ready to meet your childhood imaginary friend again)
  • Excessive drooling (now everyone gets their chance to be a Slurpee machine!)
  • Loss of motor control changes -walking weirdly-, general weakness,
    and paralysis.

And as previously mentioned, once these symptoms manifest – you’re likely going down a road of no return towards deathville USA.

Furious vs Dumb Rabies

Depending on which side effects begin appearing first (Oooh cliffhanger alert!), there are two different classifications for rabid behavior:

  1. Furious Rabies: This version is indicated by the animal displaying extremely aggressive, angry behavior such as wild barking/snarling attacks or vicious biting.
  2. Dumb Rabies: The animal appears lethargic and weak, with impaired walking and coordination (so presumptively similar how a Party after an all-nighter would appear!).

You don’t want to be experiencing either of them firsthand (Use your common sense people!)

Virus Protection

It’d really suck to get infected with this terrible disease – that goes without saying. So let’s discuss some preventative measures against the yellow-eyed menace (Other than building a bunker and becoming Batman)

Vaccinate Your Pets! [This one is important]

Remember – pets can (and often do) carry rabies too. Always make sure they’re vaccinated! It will save their lives.

Quarantine Exposed Animals

If it turns out you’ve been exposed to the virus through contact with an animal known now or later diagnosed who has rabies, you’ll actually need immediate medical attention due to incubation period being long enough for prevention shots right away!

Keep Away From Wild Animals

You may not recognize when an animal is diseased until it’s too late. Don’t try to pet strays on the street unless they are cute little kitties or dogs inside shelters.

In case of unexpected encounter try keeping yourself safe around any potential offending animals/dangers zones like bat infestations in abandoned buildings!

The Verdict? Get Yourself Protected To Prevent Being Toasted

Humans suffering from rabies have no chance at recovery once symptoms begin developing so always remember – Prevention Is Kingship (& Queen)! . Whether vaccinating your own furry sidekicks or staying way clear from stray/feral pups/cat/bats/raccoons/roses (?) in risky situations – make safety your top priority before anything else!

Stay Safe!

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