What disease does rabies virus carry?

From the Guidelines

Rabies itself is a viral disease, not a carrier of a disease, and it is caused by the rabies virus, which belongs to the Lyssavirus genus. This virus infects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans, and is typically transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly via bites 1. The disease progresses from early symptoms like fever and tingling at the bite site to more severe manifestations including anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), and eventually paralysis, coma, and death.

Key Points

• The rabies virus can be neutralized by passively administered rabies immune globulin (RIG) and active immunization (vaccine) stimulates the host immune system to produce virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNA) 1.
• Prevention is possible through pre-exposure vaccination for high-risk individuals and post-exposure prophylaxis, which includes wound cleaning, rabies vaccine series, and rabies immunoglobulin for previously unvaccinated individuals 1.
• Immediate medical attention after potential exposure is critical since the virus can be neutralized before it reaches the brain.
• The likelihood of rabies infection varies with the nature and extent of exposure, and clinicians should contact local or state public health officials for assistance in determining the likelihood of a rabies exposure in a specific situation 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted in the saliva of infected mammals. The virus enters the central nervous system of the host causing an encephalomyelitis that is fatal The disease that rabies carries is Rabies, which is a viral infection that causes encephalomyelitis and is fatal 2 2.

From the Research

Disease Carried by Rabies

• Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease that causes a lethal encephalitis 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• The disease is preventable through timely and adequate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to potentially exposed persons 3, 4, 5, 6.
• Once symptoms of rabies appear, the disease is almost always fatal, making prevention crucial 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Transmission of Rabies

• Rabies can be transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, as well as through organ transplantation from a donor with rabies 7.
• The virus can cause a fatal encephalitis and can be transmitted through contact with infected saliva or tissue 4, 7.

Prevention and Treatment of Rabies

• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is essential in preventing the development of rabies after exposure to the virus 3, 4, 5, 6.
• PEP consists of wound washing, administration of rabies immune globulin, and a series of rabies vaccinations 3, 4, 5, 6.