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Rabies
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

Rabies

Rabies is a deadly viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, making immediate medical intervention essential following exposure.

Overview

Rabies is a deadly animal disease caused by a virus. It can occur in wild animals, including raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes, or in dogs, cats, and farm animals. People contract the virus from the bite of an infected animal.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

In people, symptoms of rabies include fever, headache, and fatigue, followed by confusion, hallucinations, and paralysis. Once symptoms begin, the disease is usually fatal. If an animal bites you, wash the wound well and seek medical care immediately. A series of shots can prevent rabies in people exposed to the virus, but they must be administered right away.

Prevention

To help prevent rabies:

  • Vaccinate your pet. Rabies vaccines are available for dogs, cats, and farm animals.
  • Do not let pets roam.
  • Do not approach stray animals. Animals with rabies might be aggressive and vicious, or tired and weak.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions

If your pet is current on rabies vaccination, it is considered protected, and you do not need post‑exposure prophylaxis for yourself. However, you should still have the animal examined by a veterinarian to ensure it remains healthy and to document the incident.
Transmission is extremely rare from a scratch or lick unless saliva contacts broken skin or mucous membranes. If there is any exposure to saliva on an open wound, you should still seek medical evaluation for possible prophylaxis.
Rabies post‑exposure prophylaxis should be initiated as soon as possible, ideally within a few hours of the bite. The first dose of rabies immune globulin and the first vaccine injection are given on day 0, followed by additional vaccine doses on days 3, 7, and 14 (or 28 for immunocompromised patients).
Immediately wash the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, then irrigate with a dilute bleach solution (1 % sodium hypochlorite) if available. Apply clean dressing and seek medical care promptly for assessment and rabies prophylaxis.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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