High urgency
-Very severe
A very serious infectious disease caused by viruses of the Rhabdoviridae family.
It is transmitted by the bite of an animal infected by the virus. It then spreads through the peripheral nerves to the central nervous system and spinal cord.
It manifests itself in different ways depending on the stage of infection: it begins with general symptoms (fever, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea and vomiting), followed by a period of agitation and stiffness, and ends in flaccid paralysis and coma.
Diagnosis is made by a complete history and physical examination.
Treatment should be initiated immediately, with supportive measures, rabies immunoglobulin and vaccination.
- Alfred DeMaria, Jr, MD. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of rabies. UpToDate, Sep 12, 2016.
- Hankins DG, Rosekrans JA. Overview, prevention, and treatment of rabies. Mayo Clin Proc 2004; 79:671.
- Warrell MJ, Warrell DA. Rabies and other lyssavirus diseases. Lancet 2004; 363:959.
- Hemachudha T, Laothamatas J, Rupprecht CE. Human rabies: a disease of complex neuropathogenetic mechanisms and diagnostic challenges. Lancet Neurol 2002; 1:101.
- Alan C. Jackson. Rabia y otras infecciones por rhabdovirus. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 232.
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
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