Symptoms of rabies typically manifest late in the disease, often just days before death. They may appear within a week to a year after exposure, with most people experiencing symptoms around eight weeks post-exposure. Symptoms may develop more rapidly if there’s a bite on the head or neck, as the rabies virus travels more swiftly to the brain. Initial symptoms commonly include loss of appetite, pain at the site of the bite, and headache. Here are the common signs and symptoms of rabies:
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Agitation or restlessness.
- Anxiety or fretfulness.
- Confusion.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Increased or excessive salivation.
- Fear of water (hydrophobia) due to swallowing difficulty.
- Hallucinations or delusions.
- Insomnia.
- Partial paralysis.
If you’re bitten by an animal, it’s crucial to contact a physician immediately. Treatment recommendations will be based on examination findings.
In India, rabies is endemic, with approximately 36% of global rabies deaths occurring there annually. Most rabies deaths in India affect children. While rabies is nearly eliminated in developed countries, lack of coordination and a comprehensive national program in India has led to its widespread prevalence. About 15 million people in India are bitten by animals each year, with approximately 90% of the bites caused by dogs (60% by stray dogs and 40% by pet dogs). The incidence of animal bites per 1000 population in India is 17.4, with an animal biting a person every 2 seconds and one death from rabies occurring every 30 minutes. Majority of rabies deaths in India occur among individuals from poor or low-income socioeconomic backgrounds.