Rabies: Foam is a Sure Sign. Why?

Rabies: How IS It Caught?

Rabies is a viral disease which attacks the central nervous system, which inflames the brain. Rabies is usually caught by stray or wild animals who already contain the virus. When they bite, their saliva is infected with the virus, and is injected into the human body. It is rare for a human to catch it without the bite of an animal, although it isn’t impossible. Sometimes, when a human enters a cave of bats with rabies, they could end up having it themselves.  Another way humans can catch it is by transplant. The start of this deadly disease is unknown, like a common cold in Winter..

This diagram shows the healthy brain to the damaged one. (Left to Right)

http://health.howstuffworks.com

The Spread

When it enters your body, it uses the central nervous system’s nerves to travel. At the heart of the central nervous system, it destroys it and goes up to the brain, causing swelling and inflammation. The swelling usually causes the death.

This shows the path of the virus.

http://www.in.gov/boah/images/bite2.gif

Symptoms

• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Double Vision
• Problems with facial muscles
• Shallow Breathing
• Swallowing becomes difficult
• Saliva amount is increased

The most famous of all is the foaming of the mouth. This is caused by the saliva production growing. When you are infected, you are dehydrated. Your body reacts by attempting to create its own water – saliva. This causes the foam on the mouth.

Prevention and Treatments

A simple prevention is to keep away from all stray animals and commonly rabid-infected animals. You can tell whether an animal is infected by its two forms. There is a furious form and a dumb form. The furious form is when the animal is viciously violent and aggressive and follows by depression. The dumb form is when the animal is slow, unresponsive, and lethargic.

If you get bitten, you may get a vaccine called PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) within 10 days of the bite. Once the symptoms mentioned above are starting to show, it’s too late. The only mammal known to survive rabies without medication are bats.