Related articles: Anger
Definition
Rabies is an infectious disease caused by an RNA virus, of the genus Lyssavirus, which affects the nervous system.
The infection is transmitted by the saliva of bats and some infected mammals (especially raccoons, skunks and foxes, but also dogs, cats and ferrets). The inoculation of the pathogen usually takes place through a bite inflicted by the sick animal on another animal or on a man. However, rabies can also be contracted through skin abrasion or contact with intact mucous membranes.
The rapid progression of the disease is based on the viral load and the site of inoculation (proximity of the wound to the brain): the virus migrates from the entrance site along the peripheral nerves to the spinal cord, then to the CNS. Then, through the peripheral nerves it diffuses to other parts of the body.
The incubation period varies from ten days to one year (on average it is 1-2 months).
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Hallucinations
- anguish
- Anorexia
- asphyxiation
- Asthenia
- Seizures
- Depression
- Dysphagia
- Temporal and spatial disorientation
- Dyspnoea
- Mood disorders
- Muscle pains
- Muscular collation
- Temperature
- Fotofobia
- Hydrophobia
- Insomnia
- Hyperesthesia
- Tearing
- Sore throat
- Headache
- meningism
- Meningitis
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Paralysis of the vocal cords
- Paresthesia
- Loss of coordination of movements
- Priapism
- Stiffness in the muscles of the back and neck
- Intense salivation
- Confusional state
- Tetraplegia
- Cough
- lockjaw
- Double vision
- He retched
Further indications
The initial symptoms of rabies are non-specific and include fever, headache and malaise. At the site of the bite, pain and paresthesia may develop.
In a few days, encephalitis ("furious" anger) or paralysis ("silent" anger) develops, representing about 20-25% of cases).
Encephalitis causes excessive salivation and hydrophobia (painful spasms of the laryngeal and pharyngeal muscles following the attempt to make the patient drink). When the rabies virus colonizes the CNS tissues, the neurological symptoms also begin: depression, agitation, loss of sense of orientation, hallucinations, behavioral anomalies and insomnia. In addition, muscle spasms, hyperesthesia (with excessive sensitivity to bright light, strong noises and light touches), priapism, lacrimation and meningism can occur.
In the paralytic form, on the other hand, ascending paralysis develops (ie it first affects the lower limbs, then diffuses proximally), tetraplegia and hydrophobia.
The diagnosis of rabies is confirmed by serological tests and skin biopsy. The treatment is only supportive; in fact, anger is almost always fatal. For this reason, pre-exposure prophylaxis is indicated, using anti-rabies vaccine for high-risk individuals.
Animals suffering from rabies can be identified for their abnormal behavior; they may appear agitated, weak and show no fear of man. Bats can produce unusual noises, have difficulty flying and go out during the day (normally, they are nocturnal animals).
If exposure to the virus occurs, rapid and meticulous prophylaxis is almost always able to prevent human rabies; this regime involves the treatment of wounds and passive and active immunoprophylaxis (rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin given according to the circumstances).
