What are the symptoms and signs of rabies in humans?
Rabies is a very serious infection which affects the central nervous system. Initial symptoms can include anxiety, headaches and fever; later the effects of the encephalitis intensify. There are spasms of the swallowing muscles making it difficult or impossible for patients to drink (hydrophobia), and respiratory failure sets in. How long is the incubation period? The incubation period is generally 2-8 weeks, but very variable. On some occasions incubation periods have been several months or more. What can be done to treat rabies? Rabies must be prevented, because there is no treatment. This means that people should seek advice about vaccination before they travel if going to developing countries where rabies is present. When travelling they should steer clear of animals in general, but particularly stray or unattended dogs. Anyone who is bitten or scratched by a warm blooded animal such as a dog, cat or bat in a country where there is rabies should get advice immediately as rabies vac
