Symptoms of rabies in humans

Overview

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease, which can spread to people and pets through bites and scratches from an infected animal. Rabies can cause severe disease and death if urgent medical care is not sought after a rabies exposure.

The virus is fatal if rabies-related medical care, called postexposure prophylaxis or PEP, is not started before symptoms begin to show.

Rabies is rare in people in the United States, with only 1 to 3 cases reported each year.

However, each year about 60,000 Americans receive PEP following an exposure.

How long do you have to get a rabies shot after being bitten

Who is at risk

There have been no confirmed instances of human-to-human transmission of rabies virus aside from those attributable to organ and tissue transplantation. Rabies virus is transmitted through direct contact with infectious tissue or fluids.

Rabies virus is not transmitted through contaminated objects or materials such as clothes or bedding.

Healthcare workers providing care to patients with suspected or confirmed rabies should protect themselves by using standard precautions.

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