RABIES
An Infectious Disease
RABIES IS AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE CAUSED BY A VIRUS. THIS DISEASE MUST BE CAUGHT BEFORE SYMPTOMS SHOW, OR IT IS ALMOST GUARANTEED TO BE FATAL. RABIES ATTACKS THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
Symptoms Include:
- Flu-like symptoms (headache, fever, ect.)
- Pain
- Seizures
- Bizarre Behavior
Transmission
RABIES IS OFTEN TIMES CARRIED BY ANIMALS, MOSTLY WILD. THIS IS ALSO HOW THE VIRUS IN TRANSFERRED TO HUMANS.
SYMPTOMS MAY NOT APPEAR FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS AFTER A BITE.
Diagnosis
In order to diagnose rabies, several tests are involved. The majority of them take place in laboratories where scientists examine body fluids for the virus. Animals are diagnosed through the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test.
Disease Course
An organism is infected ... The virus travels throughout the body ... The virus reaches the brain ... The virus attacks the Central Nervous System ... The organism dies.
Complications
The body can no longer function normally, which leads to death.
Frequency and Targets:
In US: The disease kills fewer than 5 people a year, and targets no specific group.
In the World: The majority of deaths cause by rabies occur in undeveloped nations with no resources to prevent and treat the disease.