Burlington, VT
A 31-year-old male asked:
does everyone who is exposed to rabies develop the disease if no prophylactic shots are given?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Shari Schabowskianswered
Specializes in Emergency Medicine
Not worth risk: Rabies is a deadly disease and not only is it nearly 100% lethal but if you die from it it is a miserable and painful death. Take no chances if you have been exposed get treated and do it quick.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
How long am I contagious, if I contract rabies?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
About 2-3 weeks: If a person gets infected with rabies virus, he has an incubation period in which he shows no symptoms. When symptoms begin, he will feel some flu-like symptoms. Then comes the bad brain symptoms, with some erratic violent behavior plus foaming at the mouth, and death a few days later from paralysis and coma. He is contagious during the approximately 2-3 weeks of symptoms, until after death.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
A rabid dog bit me, when I will I show symptoms for rabies?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Albert Pizzoanswered
Family Medicine 60 years experience
Rabies: If you have been bitten by a rabid dog, go immediately to the emergency room as this is extemely dangerous. People bitten have a very high mortality rate unless proper treatment with anti-rabies shots are instituted very early.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 33-year-old member asked:
Is it possible to be born with rabies?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
If pregnant & rabid: A rabid mammal who happens to be pregnant and goes into labor, delivering infected baby mammal(s) before dying of rabies herself . . . Could happen, although it sounds like an uncommon scenario.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
How can we prevent rabies?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Vacc. & dog catchers: Vaccines are the best way to prevent rabies in the U.S.. Dogs, cats, and other pet mammals should all be vaccinated. Animal control is important. There should be no dogs on the loose anywhere in the U.S.. Worldwide, about 55, 000 die of rabies each year, with almost all of them due to dog bites. Rabies is preventable if an exposed person properly gets his wound washed and gets his shots in time.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
How does rabies harm the brain?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Infects brain cells: Rabies viruses travel along the nerves, from the bite site all the way up to the brain. The viruses infect the brain, damaging the brain cells. Viruses can then spread from the brain, along the nerves, to many other parts of the body. The damaged brain no longer can function properly, so the victim loses the ability to think or do things, over a week or two, and dies.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Sep 29, 2016
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
$30 per visit with
membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.